THE 


'OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 


BT 


T.   S.    ARTHUR. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

G.  G.  EVANS,  439  CHESTNUT  STREET. 
1860. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  In  the  year  1858,  by 

CHARLES   SCBIBNER, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  CVrart  of  the  United  State*  tor   tb« 
Southern  District  of  New  York. 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  author  of  the  "  Old  Man's  Bride"  has 
1  tie  to  say  in  regard  to  the  story,  beyond  the 
s  .aple  declaration,  that  it  has  been  written 
w.?th,  perhaps,  more  than  common  earnestness, 
and  with  a  directness  of  purpose  that  never 
permitted  him  to  lose  sight  of  the  important 
social  lesson  he  was  aiming  to  teach  ;  a  lesson 
much  needed  in  the  present  time,  and  one  that 
cannot  be  studied  too  closely.  Marriage  is  too 
important  a  contract  to  be  entered  into  lightly. 
Those  who  make  it  a  matter  of  bargain  and 
sale,  we  care  not  under  what  pressure  from 
outwaid  circumstances,  commit  an  error  most 
fatal  to  their  happiness ;  and  inflict  a  wrong 


2073073 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

upon  themselves,  it  may  be  upon  others,  which 
nothing  can  ever  fully  repair.  To  set  this  forth 
in  strong  light,  is  the  design  of  the  present 
volume. 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE, 


CHAPTER  I. 

IT  was  on  a  dark,  cold,  rainy  morning,  late  in 
November,  that  Helen  Lee  came  down  from  her  room, 
with  a  thin  shawl  drawn  around  her  shoulders.  She 
had  nearly  reached  the  street  door  when  her  steps 
were  arrested  by  her  mother's  voice. 

"  You're  not  going  out  on  such  a  morning  as  this, 
Helen,  surely  !"  said  Mrs.  Lee. 

"  Oh  yes  "  replied  the  young  girl,  in  cheerful  tones. 
a  I  must  give  my  lessons,  you  know." 

"  But  you  will  not  be  expected,  Helen.  And  even  if 
you  were,  a  regard  for  health  should  keep  you  at  home 
on  a  day  like  this." 

"  I  have  on  my  thick  shoes,  mother,"  returned 
Helen,  in  the  same  cheerful  tones  with  which  she  had 


6  THE    OLD    MAN'b    BRIDE. 

at  first  spoken.  "  And  you  know  I  am  warmly  clothed 
I  shall  not  feel  the  cold." 

Warmly  clothed!  Her  garments  were  more  fitting 
the  month  of  June  !  Thick  shoes  ?  A  wafer  might  be 
called  thick  as  well  ! 

"  Don't  go,  Helen,"  said  Mrs.  Lee  in  an  almost  plead- 
ing voice.  She  was  not  deceived  by  her  daughter's 
words. 

"  I  must  go,  mother,"  returned  Helen,  now  speaking 
more  seriously.  "  I  cannot  afford  to  miss  giving  a 
single  lesson.  But  don't  feel  worried  about  me.  Good 
by — I  will  be  home  by  twelve  o'clock." 

And,  saying  this,  the  brave-hearted  girl  turned 
quickly  away,  and  went  forth  on  her  errand. 

As  she  closed  the  door,  and  stepped  upon  the  pave- 
ment, the  rushing  wind  swept  against  her,  and  pene- 
trated, almost  in  an  instant,  her  thin  garments,  causing 
a  chill  to  run  through  her  slender  frame ;  and  almost 
as  quickly  did  she  feel  the  dampness  reach  her  feet 
from  the  wet  pavement. 

But  she  shrunk  not  in  the  cold  blast,  for  the  earnest 
and  high  purpose  that  was  in  her  heart,  lifted  her  abova 
tl  e  consciousness  of  physical  suffering  like  this. 

Helen  Lee,  an  only  child,  was  now  in  her  twenty- 
second  year.  Her  parents  were  in  reduced  circumstan- 
ces. But  they  had  once  been  moderately  well  off 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  9 

There  had  been  no  withholding  of  means,  on  their  pait, 
so  far  as  the  education  of  their  child  was  concerned ; 
and  in  the  dark  days  of  their  adversity  she  was  repay- 
ing them  for  all  their  care  and  affection.  Ills  of  life 
too  rarely  come  aloue.  This  was  the  experience  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lee.  Very  soon  after  the  former  failed  in 
business,  his  health  became  so  bad  that  even  the  small- 
est mental  or  bodily  exertion  was  attended  with  danger 
ous  consequences  ;  and  the  physician  enjoined  the  most 
perfect  quiet,  as  absolutely  necessary. 

In  this  unhappy  extremity,  Mrs.  Lee  found  herself 
almost  helpless.  What  could  she  do  to  support  tba 
family  !  In  vain  did  she  ask  this  question.  She  had 
no  resources  in  herself. 

But  now  it  was  that  the  seed  sown  in  their  daugh- 
ter's mind  began  to  germinate.  The  true  affection 
which  Helen  had  for  her  parents,  led  her  thoughts  to 
the  projection  of  means  whereby  to  serve  them.  She 
had  been  well  educated  in  most  of  the  branches  taught 
in  schools,  and  her  first  effort  was  tc  endeavor  to  get  a 
situation  as  an  assistant  in  some  established  female 
academy.  But,  this  she  found  no  easy  matter.  She 
next  endeavored  to  get  music  scholars,  and  was  suc- 
cessfut  in  procuring  a  few,  the  instruction  of  which  was 
immediately  commenced.  From  these,  the  income  was 


10  THE    OLD    MAN  S    BRIDE. 

not  large ;  yet  it  was  something,  and  helped  to  eke  out 
their  slender  resources,  that  were  fast  melting  away. 

Months  went  by,  and  then  one  sacri6ce  after  another 

having  been  made,  the  family  found  itself  reduced  to 

n  entire  dependence  on  Helen's  income,  which  was 

now  swelled  by  the  addition  of  scholars,  to  about  four 

hundred  dollars  a  year. 

Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  at  the  time  we  intro- 
duce Helen  Lee  to  the  reader.  Four  hundred  dollars 
were  not  sufficient  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  family. 
The  small  house,  into  which  they  had  removed,  was 
obtained  at  a  rent  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars  a 
year,  leaving  two  hundred  and  eighty  dollars  with 
which  to  buy  food  and  raiment  for  three  persons. 
Accustomed  to  a  different  style  of  living,  Mrs.  Lee 
found  it  impossible  to  shrink  into  the  dimensions 
required  by  outward  circumstances,  and  was,  therefore, 
unable,  by  any  modes  of  economy  understood  by  her- 
self, to  supply  the  wants  of  the  family  with  so  small  a 
Bum.  A  gradual  accumulation  of  debt  to  the  bake* 
butcher,  and  milkman,  was  the  natural  consequence, 
which  debt  soon  became  a  source  of  annoyance  and 
trouble. 

If  Helen  had  felt  no  other  motive  impelling  her  to 
attend  to  the  lessons  that  were  to  be  given  on  that 
stormy  morning,  the  fact  of  two  persons  having  mad? 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  11 

imperative  demands  for  the  settlement  of  bills,  since 
breakfast  time,  would  have  been  all  sufficient. 

The  brave-hearted  girl  had  gone  but  two  or  three 
blocks  when  she  was  met  by  a  young  man,  who  turned 
and  walked  along  by  her  side. 

"A  very  bad  morning,  this,  for  you  to  be  out, 
Helen,"  said  he,  seriously.  "  Ain't  you  afraid  of  taking 
cold  !w 

"  Oh,  no,"  she  replied,  but  not  with  a  great  deal  of 
warmth  in  her  manner,  and  partly  averting  her  face  as 
she  spoke. 

The  young  man  seemed  surprised  at  the  character 
of  his  reception  by  Helen,  and  bending  towards  her, 
looked  earnestly  upon  her  countenance.  As  he  did  so, 
she  turned  still  farther  from  him  ;  while  from  the  quick 
rising  and  falling  of  her  bosom,  it  was  evident  that  her 
mind  was  much  disturbed. 

Have  I  offended  you  in  anything  ?"  said  the  young 
man,  after  a  brief  silence. 

u  No,  Henry,  I  am  not  offended  with  you.  Why 
hould  I  be  V' 

Helen  spoke  in  a  softer  tone,  in  which  tenderness 
and  sadness  were  both  blended.  But  still  she  kept  her 
face  partly  averted. 

"  Why  this  change,  then  Helen  f 

"What  change!" 


12  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDH. 

"  You  are  cold  to  me  ;  and  reserved  beyond  anything 
that  I  have  known  since  we  were  acquainted." 

Helen  was  silent. 

"  You  are  unhappy  about  something,  Helen,"  said  th« 
young  man.  "  Tell  me  what  it  is." 

"  How  can  I  help  feeling  unhappy  ?"  was  returned 
with  some  bitterness  of  tone.  u  You  know  the  circum- 
stances of  our  family." 

"I  do,  and  Heaven  knows  how  gladly  I  would 
relieve  them.  Oh,  Helen !  how  often  I  have  desired 
riches  for  your  sake." 

"I  know  the  goodnesss  of  your  heart,  Henry," 
replied  the  young  girl,  with  visible  emotion.  "  But 
your  hands  are  tied.  You  have  claims  as  sacred  and 
imperative  as  those  that  are  binding  upon  me." 

A  deep  sigh  was  the  young  man's  only  answer. 
Yes,  there  were  claims  equally  binding  upon  him.  Ha 
•was  a  widowed  mother's  sole  dependence. 

"  Henry,"  said  Helen,  breaking  the  silence,  and 
speaking  in  a  low,  firm  voice — "  we  had  better  be  to 
each  other  as  strangers." 

Helen  !"  the  young  man  started,  as  if  he  had  been 
stung. 

"  I  am  in  earnest,"  was  continued  in  the  same  low, 
steady  voice.  "Each  of  us  has  indulged  an  idli 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  13 

dream.     We  must  bend  to  the  iron  stroke  of  circum- 
stance." 

"  Helen  !    Helen  !     Why   do   you    speak   thus  !" 
exclaimed  her    auditor,  in   a   distressed  voice.     "  You 
cannot  mean  what  you  say  ?" 
I  mean  it,  Henry." 

"  Then  you  do  not  love  me,"  was  replied  in  a  voice 
that  evidently  hurt  the  young  girl,  for  she  asnswered  in 
still  sadder  tones. 

"You  have  never  looked  into  my  heart.  But,  no 
matter.  Think  so,  if  you  will,  Henry.  It  is  better, 
perhaps,  that  you  should  have  something  to  make  the 
trial  easier,  /shall  not  have  even  this  to  sustain  me." 

By  this  time  they  were  in  front  of  a  large  house, 
and  Helen,  with  a  hurried  "  good  by,"  sprung  up  the 
steps,  and  after  ringing  the  bell,  stepped  into  the  vesti- 
bule. Not  once  did  she  glance  back  towards  her  com- 
panion, who  stood  for  a  few  moments  gazing  after,  and 
then  walked  slowly  on. 

"  We  hardly  expected  you  this  morning,  Miss  Lee," 
said  a  lady,  who  met  Helen  as  she  entered  one  of  the 
parlors,  where  a  young  lady  was  practising  at  the 
piano.  "  It  is  wet  and  cold  without." 

"  I  don't  mind  the  weather,"  replied  Helen,  forcing 
a  smile. 

"  But  in  weather  like  this  you  should  put  on  warmei 


14  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

clothing,"  said  the  lady  seriously.  "  You  are  no  more 
thickly  clad  to-day,  than  you  were  at  your  last  visit,  and 
then  the  air  was  as  soft  as  in  May.  It  will  not  do,  my 
young  friend.  Health  is  a  thing  too  valuable  to  be 
risked  after  this  fashion.  Are  your  feet  wet  f" 

"  Only  a  little  damp,"  replied  Helen. 

"  A  little  may  be  too  much.     There's  a  fire  in  the 
I  dining  room  grate.     Go  up  and  get  dry  and  warm 
before  you  begin  Mary's  lesson.     She  can  go  on  with 
her  practising  in  the  meantime." 

Helen,  who  really  felt  chilled,  did  as  she  was 
directed,  and  sat  before  the  glowing  fire  until  a  genial 
warmth  pervaded  her  body.  Then  she  gave  her  music 
lesson  of  an  hour,  and  again  went  forth  in  the  wet  and 
chilling  atmosphere. 

After  a  walk  of  nearly  half  an  hour,  by  which  time 
her  shoes  and  stockings  were  saturated  with  water, 
Helen  came  to  the  residence  of  a  man  far  past  the 
middle  period  of  life,  the  only  female  inmate  of  whose 
family,  besides  domestics,  was  a  young  niece  whom  he 
was  educating.  His  name  was  Bullfinch.  Helen  had 
been  engaged  to  give  this  niece  instruction  in  French 
and  Spanish,  both  of  which  languages  she  spoke  with 
fluency.  As  Helen  was  raising  her  hand  to  pull  the 
bell,  some  sudden  thought  passing  through  her  mind, 
caused  her  to  stop,  and  then  slowly  to  turn  away  aad 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  16 

walk  on.  For  nearly  half  a  block,  she  moved  along 
slowly,  with  her  eyes  cast  to  the  ground.  Pausing,  at 
length,  she  retraced  her  steps,  and  again  stopping  at 
the  house  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  rung  the  bell.  On  being 
admitted,  she  passed  into  the  parlor. 

"  Why,  Miss  Lee  !  My  dear  young  lady !  What 
has  induced  you  to  come  out  on  a  day  like  this  ?" 

Snch  was  the  unexpected  salutation  received  by 
Helen,  as  she  entered  the  parlors,  in  one  of  which  a 
bright  fire  was  burning.  Before  this  fire  sat  Mr.  Bull- 
finch and  his  niece.  The  former,  quite  an  old  mani 
rose  up  quickly,  and  extending  his  hand  took  that  of 
his  visiter,  and  pressed  it  warmly. 

"  Your  hand  is  like  ice,"  said  he,  with  much  kind- 
ness of  manner,  that  was  blended  with  interest  and 
sympathy.  "  It  is  wrong  for  you  to  risk  your  health 
in  this  way.  Dear  bless  me  !  Look  at  the  girl's  feet. 
Completely  soaked  in  water  !  Fanny,  dear,  take  Miss 
Lee  right  up  into  your  room,  and  get  her  a  pair  of  dry 
stockings  and  shoes.  She  may  take  her  death  a  cold." 

"  It  isn't  at  all  necessary,  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  returned 
Helen,  blushing  with  confusion.  "I  shall  not  take 
cold." 

"  But  I  say  it  is  necessary,"  persisted  the  old  gentle- 
man. "  What  strange,  inconsistent  creatures  you 


16  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

young  girls  are!     Go  right  up  stairs'  with  Fanny  ana 
get  dry  stockings. 

And  he  put  his  hand  upon  her  and  aimost  forced 
her  from  the  room. 

Helen  was  trembling  all  over  when  she  entered  the 
chamber  of  Fanny  ;  so  much  so,  that  it  attracted  the 
»  young  lady's  attention. 

"  What  ails  you  ?"  said  the  latter.  "  I  do  believe 
you  are  chilled  through,  and  are  shaking  in  an  ague  fit. 
What  could  have  possessed  you  to  come  out  this  morn- 
ing 1  I  never  thought  of  expecting  you.  As  for 
lessons  in  French,  I'm  in  no  humor  for  that.  I  gave 
you  up  immediately  after  breakfast,  and  set  myself 
down  to  a  new  novel.  Being  at  a  deeply  interesting 
part  of  the  book,  a  French  lesson  is  out  of  the  ques- 
tion. So,  you  may  run  back  home  again,  and  take 
your  comfort  for  the  rest  of  the  day." 

Helen  smiled  faintly  at  the  animation  of  the  young 
girl,  as  she  replied — 

"  I've  two  more  engagements  yet  to  meet,  before  I 
can  go  home  and  take  my  comfort." 

"  You  kill  yourself,"  said  Fanny,  seriously. 
"  Oh  no.     I  can  bear  a  good  deal."     Helen  spok« 
partly  to  herself,  yet  in  a  voice  that  was  sad  in  spite  of 
her  effort  to  seem  cheerful. 

"  I've  sent  for  a  carriage,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  when 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDK.  17 

Helen  returned  again  to  the  parlor  ;  "  and  as  soon  as  it 
arrives,  you  must  go  directly  home.  It  was  very  bad 
for  you  to  come  out  on  such  a  day." 

"  I  have  two  more  engagements  yet  this  morning," 
replied  Helen. 

"  No  matter  if  you  nave  a  dozen,"  said  the  old  gen- 
tleman, as  he  gazed  earnestly  and  admiringly  upon  the 
fair  and  innocent  face  of  the  young  teacher.  "  You've  got 
to  go  home.  Health  and  life  are  first  to  be  considered." 

"  But,  Mr.  Bullfinch " 

"  I'll  hear  no  arguments,"  he  interrupted  her,  smil- 
ing, with  an  air  of  self-satisfaction  as  he  spoke.  "  I've 
sent  for  a  carriage,  and  shall  take  it  upon  myself  to 
send  you  back  to  your  father's  house  ;  or,  rather  take 
you  back — for  I  will  not  trust  you  to  go  alone,  lest  you 
jump  out,  and  run  off  to  give  some  of  your  confounded 
music  lessons." 

"  Oh  !  you  needn't  fear  that,"  quickly  replied  Helen  ; 
her  face  flushing,  and  then  becoming  extremely  pale. 

"  I  do  fear  it,"  persisted  the  old  gentleman  ;  "  and 
shall  not  trust  you.  You  are  now  my  prisoner,  and  I 
will  not  lose  sight  of  you  until  I  have  returned  you 
safely  to  the  place  from  which  you  escaped  this  morn- 
ing." 

"  Uncle  is  exceedingly  gallant,"  said  Fanny,  laughing 
"  He's  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school" 


18  THE   OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

Just  then  the  carriage  which  a  servant  had  been 
sent  to  order,  drove  up  to  the  door. 

"  Don't  think  of  going  home  with  me,  Mr.  Bull- 
finch !"  said  Helen,  in  a  very  earnest  way.  "  It's  very 
stormy  out." 

"Tut,  child!  Fm  not  afraid  of  the  weather;  if  it 
isn't  too  stormy  for  a  delicate  young  girl,  it  certainly  is 
not  for  a  hale,  hearty  man  like  myself." 

And  as  Mr.  Bullfinch  said  this,  he  glanced  involun- 
tarily at  his  face  and  figure  in  a  large  mirror,  opposite 
to  which  he  was  standing. 

In  spite  of  all  the  remonstrances  of"  Helen,  the  old 
gentleman  persisted  in  his  purpose  of  accompanying 
her  home,  and,  to  this  end,  entered  the  carriage  with 
her.  The  moment  the  vehicle  moved  away,  his  whole 
manner  changed,  and  he  attempted  to  take  the  young 
girl's  hand.  This  she  at  first  resisted,  but  at  length 
permitted  him  to  hold  it  passively  within  his  grasp. 

"  My  dear  Miss  Lee,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  with  all  the 
ardor  of  a  young  lover,  leaning  close  to  his  auditor  as 
he  spoke — "  I  need  not  repeat  to  you  what  I  have  al- 
eady  said.  You  fully  comprehend  my  feelings.  From 
the  first  moment  I  saw  you,  I  have  been  deeply  inte- 
rested in  all  that  concerns  you.  Sympathy  has  quickly 
given  place  to  a  warmer  and  purer  sentiment  I  am 
older  than  you  are,  it  is  true;  but  my  heart  is  still 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  19 

young — as  young  I  trust  as  yours.  Have  you  well  con- 
sidered the  proposition  I  made?  Are  you  ready  to 
become  my  wife !" 

A  quick  shudder  ran  through  the  frame  of  Helen  as 
the  last  sentence  reached  her  ear ;  a  shudder  perceived 
by  Mr.  Bullfinch  in  the  hand  he  was  holding. 

"  At  once  you  will  be  elevated  above  your  present 
condition — above  the  necessity  for  this  wearing  toil, 
that  is  sapping  the  very  foundations  of  your  life  !" 

But  there  was  no  reply  from  the  old  man's  statue 
like  companion,  whose  face  was  still  in  part  averted ; 
nor  did  a  word  pass  her  lips,  until  the  carriage  drew  up 
before  the  humble  abode  of  her  parents.  Then,  as  she 
was  about  stepping  out — he  remaining  behind,  and 
shrinking  back,  as  if  to  avoid  observation — she  said,  in 
a  husky  whisper — 

"  To-morrow  you  shall  hear  from  me." 

A  moment  or  two  more,  and  Helen  Lee  had  passed 
from  his  sight. 


CHAPTER  IT. 

"  YOU'RE  home  early,"  said  Mrs.  Lee,  as  her  daugh- 
ter came  in.  "  I  did  not  expect  you  back  for  an  hour 
or  so  yet.  Are  you  not  well  ?" 

"O  yes,  I  am  very  well,"  returned  Helen,  with 
forced  animation.  "  But,  Fanny  Milnor's  uncle  said  I 
ought  not  to  have  ventured  out  on  a  day  like  this,  and 
actually  made  me  come  home.  He  wouldn't  let  me 
give  Fanny  a  lesson." 

"  It  was  very  thoughtful  in  him,  certainly,"  said  Mrs. 
Lee — "  very  thoughtful.  Didn't  I  hear  a  carriage  stop 
at  the  door  just  now  ?" 

The  color  deepened  in  Helen's  face  as  her  mother 
asked  this  question.  Mrs.  Lee  perceived  the  change, 
and  her  interest  and  curiosity  were  immediately  excited. 
As  her  daughter  did  not  answer  her  last  inquiry  :  she 
repeated — 

"  Didn't  I  hear  a  carriage  stop  at  the  door  T 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  21 

"  I  presume  so,"  was  replied. 

"  Did  you  come  home  in  it  ?' 

Mrs.  Lee's  eyes  were  now  intently  fixed  on  hei 
daughter's  countenance. 

"  I  did,"  said  Helen. 

"  Indeed  !  why,  how  came  that  ?  Whose  carriage 
was  it?" 

"  Mr.  Bullfinch  sent  for  a  carnage,  and  insisted  on 
my  coming  home  in  it,"  returned  Helen,  with  as  much 
self-possession  as  she  could  assume. 

"  That  was  kind  in  him — very  kind,  indeed  !  But 
why  should  he  do  this  ?  Were  you  sick  at  bis  house  ?" 

"  Oh,  no,  mother,  I  was  not  sick,  but  my  feet  were 
very  wet,  and  he  seemed  to  think  I  was  in  danger  of 
taking  cold.  It  was  kind  in  him,  certainly." 

"  It  is  not  often  that  such  kindness  is  received  from 
total  strangers." 

"  Certainly  it  is  not.  But  Mr.  Bullfinch  is  a  verj 
kind-hearted  man,  I  believe." 

Saying  this,  Helen  passed  by  her  mother,  and  went 
up  to  her  own  room,  there  to  ponder  the  new  relations 
which  things  had  assumed,  and  to  endeavor  to  see,  in  a 
clear  light,  what  it  was  her  duty  to  do.  If  she  had 
been  standing  alone  in  the  world,  there  would  have 
been  no  doubt  in  her  mind.  Her  heart  would  have 
pointed  the  way  in  which  to  go.  But  others  wer« 


22  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

deeply  interested  in  the  decisions  she  might  make  touch- 
ing the  future.     Others  were  dependent,  even  for  food 
and  raiment,  upon  her  personal  efforts.     Was  it  not 
her  duty  to  regard  them,  even  to  the  sacrifice  of  hei 
self  ?     This  was  the  momentous  question  she  was  calle 
upon  to  decide. 

Towards  Henry  Wellford,  the  best  and  tenderest 
affections  of  her  heart  had  gone  forth  ;  and  she  knew 
that  he  loved  her  with  a  true  devotion.  She  had  not 
only  read  it  in  his  eyes,  but  listened  to  the  ardent  con- 
fession as  it  fell  from  his  lips.  Formally  they  were  not 
betrothed.  It  had  been  enough  that  they  loved,  and 
were  happiest  in  each  other's  society.  But,  Henry 
Wellford  was  poor.  He  was  simply  a  clerk,  on  a  small 
salary,  and  had  a  widowed  mother  to  support.  Helen 
was  also  poor — an  humble  teacher,  whose  income  was 
insufficient  to  meet  the  wants  of  those  dependent 
upon  her. 

Thus  it  stood,  when  a  rich  old  man  saw  the  gentle, 
brave-hearted  girl,  and,  won,  by  her  graces  of  mind 
and  body,  conceived  the  idea  of  making  her  his  wife. 
In  his  love,  if  the  sentiment  may  be  called  by  such  a 
a  name — there  was  nothing  with  which  her  heart  could 
possibly  reciprocate.  He  was  a  bachelor  of  nearly  sixty  ; 
a  confirmed  sensualist,  whose  very  sphere  tended  to  suf- 
focate the  heart  of  a  young,  pure-minded  girl  like 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  23 

Helen.  For  a  true  conjugal  union  to  take  place  be- 
tween them,  was  impossible ;  and  that  Helen  felt  the 
instant  he  approached  her  with  the  idea  of  marriage. 

But,  as  her  thoughts  dwelt  upon  the  hopeless  indi* 
gence  of  her  parents,  and  her  own  inability  to. meet 
their  common  wants — while  the  deep  affection  she  felt 
made  her  heart  yearn  towards  them — she  looked  away 
from  herself ;  or,  rather,  calculated  the  extent  of  the 
sacrifice  it  was  her  duty  to  make,  in  order  to  secure 
them  from  want  and  privation.  Mr.  Bullfinch  had 
wealth — she  had  only  to  consent  to  become  his  wife, 
and  a  portion  of  that  wealth  came  under  her  control. 
At  once  she  could  lift  her  parents  above  their  humble, 
suffering  condition,  and  place  every  comfort  within  their 
reach. 

Against  all  this  her  heart  rebelled.  But  she  laid  her 
hand  upon  her  heart,  and  called  its  shrinking  from  the 
ordeal  proposed,  mere  selfishness.  She  kept  close  to 
her  mental  vision  the  feeble  form  and  pale  face  of  her 
father,  and  said,  almost  aloud,  in  the  effort  to  give 
weight  to  the  forced  conclusions  of  her  mind — 

"  It  is  my  duty  to  make  his  last  days  peaceful  at  any 
sacrifice." 

And,  as  the  words  trembled  in  husky  and  unnatural 
tones  on  the  air,  a  low  chilling  shudder  ran  along  her 
nerves. 


24  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

Then  stood  distinctly  before  her  the  form  of  Adam 
Bullfinch,  and  the  shudder  ran  deeper.  She  shut  hei 
eyes ;  but  he  was  before  her  still.  She  bent  her  head 
forward  upon  the  table  by  which  she  was  seated,  and 
drew  her  hands  over  her  face.  It  availed  not. 

"  God  help  me!"  she  at  last  exclaimed, in  a  despair- 
ing voice,  and  starting  up,  flung  herself,  with  a  low 
moan  of  anguish,  upon  her  bed,  where  she  lay  for  a 
long  time  as  still  as  death. 

There  was  something  in  the  manner  of  her  daughter, 
when  she  came  in,  that  Mrs.  Lee  did  not  understand  ; 
and  she  was  still  wondering  to  herself  what  it  could 
mean,  when  it  occurred  to  her  that  Helen  remained  an 
unusual  time  in  her  room. 

"  I'm  afraid  she's  sick.  It  was  wrong  for  her  to  go 
out  on  a  day  like  this,"  said  she,  and,  acting  from  a 
newly  awakened  concern,  she  went  up  to  her  daughter's 
chamber. 

Mrs.  Lee  came  in  so  softly,  that  Helen  did  not  ob- 
serve her  entrance.  She  was  still  lying  upon  the  bed, 
her  face  deeply  buried  in  a  pillow. 

"  Daughter,"  said  Mrs.  Lee  ;  and  she  laid  her  hand 
on  Helen  as  she  spoke. 

Now  first  conscious  of  her  mother's  presence,  the  suf- 
fering girl  did  not  move,  nor  reply,  but  commenced  a 
strong  effort  to  regain  the  control  of  her  feelings.  If 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  25 

she  looked  up,  she  knew  that  her  face  would  betray  her 
intense  suffering ;  and  that  she  wished  above  all  things 
to  conceal. 

"  Helen  !     Daughter  !     Are  you  sick  ?" 

And  Mrs.  Lee  shook  her  gently.  The  girl  murmured 
K>mething  that  did  not  reach,  with  any  meaning,  the 
ears  of  her  mother  ;  turned  herself  partly,  yet  still  con- 
cealing her  face ;  thus  seeking  to  gain  time,  while  she 
strove,  with  almost  desperate  energy,  to  regain  her  self- 
possession. 

"  Are  you  sick,  Helen !"  repeated  Mrs.  Lee,  anx- 
iously. 

"  Not  sick,  mother,"  said  Helen,  now  venturing  to 
speak,  yet  still  keeping  her  face  averted.  Her  voice 
was  low,  yet  steady.  What  an  effort  it  cost  to  give  it 
steadiness ! 

"  What  ails  you  then,  dear  ?  Something  is  the 
matter.'' 

Helen  now  ventured  to  look  towards  her  mother. 
Hard  as  she  had  striven,  she  had  not  been  able  to  call 
Dack  the  blood  to  her  cheeks,  and  their  deathly  paleness 
frightened  Mrs.  Lee. 

"  Oh,  my  child  !"  she  exclaimed — "  you  are  ill — very 
ill !  What  is  it  ?  Speak,  dear." 

A  feeble  smile — how  it  mocked  the  shadows  that 

2 


26  THE  OLO  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

lay,  like  a  pall,  on  her  heart — flitted  over  the  counte- 
nance of  Helen. 

"  I  am  not  very  well,"  she  answered,  "  but  I  shall  be 
better  soon."  And,  rising  from  the  bed,  she  bathed 
her  face,  and  re-arranged  her  hair  and  dress ;  seeking, 
thus,  to  produce  a  mental  as  well  as  physical  reaction, 
that  would  conceal,  in  a  measure,  the  fearful  trial 
through  which  she  was  passing.  She  did  not,  however, 
satisfy  Mrs.  Lee,  whose  anxieties  were  fairly  aroused. 
But,  how  little  dreamed  the  mother  of  what  was  pass- 
ing in  the  bosom  of  her  child  !  To  efforts  in  support 
of  the  family  beyond  her  strength,  and  to  cold  taken 
from  exposure  that  morning,  she  attributed  the  utterly 
exhausted  condition  in  which  she  had  found  her. 
Had  she  known  the  truth,  it  may  be  doubted  whether 
she  were  woman  enough  at  heart  to  sympathize  fully 
•with  the  deeply  tried  and  unhappy  girl. 

"  I  feel  a  great  deal  better  now,"  said  Helen,  turning 
upon  her  mother  a  countenance  less  pale  than  before, 
and  lit  up  with  a  warmer  smile.  "  I  will  come  down 
soon.  Don't  say  anything  to  father  about  my  not  be- 
ing well.  It  will  only  make  him  feel  more  anxious,  and 
he  is  troubled  enough  as  it  is." 

"  I  wouldn't  come  down  at  all,  this  morning,"  replied 
Mrs.  Lee.  "  Take  as  much  rest,  and  be  quiet  as  possi- 
ble to-d-^y.  You  will  feel  all  the  bettor  to-morrow." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  27 

It  did  not  take  much  urging  on  the  part  of  Mrs.  Lea 
to  induce  Helen  to  remain,  at  least  for  some  hours,  in 
the  seclusion  of  her  own  room.  A  dress  to  alter  would 
employ  her  hands,  without  bodily  fatigue,  she  said 
After  repeating  her  injunction  that  Helen  would  remai 
quiet,  at  least  for  the  morning,  the  mother  retired,  and 
the  unhappy  girl  was  once  more  alone  with  her  dis- 
tracting thoughts. 

During  the  time  that  Mrs.  Lee  lingered  in  her  cham- 
ber, Helen  had  taken  from  a  closet  the  dress  she  pro- 
posed to  alter,  and  was  sittting  with  it  in  her  lap, 
scissors  in  hand,  when  her  mother  retired.  How  quick 
a  change  passed  over  her  the  moment  she  was  again 
alone!  Her  hands  sunk  down  nerveless,  the  feeble 
flush  an  effort  had  called  to  her  pale  cheeks,  faded ;  her 
body  swayed  weakly  forward,  while  her  dark  lashea 
drooped  until  the  inward-looking  orbs  beneath  were 
scarcely  visible.  How  very  still  she  sat  for  a  long,  long 
time !  Oh,  the  fearful  trial  through  which  she  was 
passing !  With  what  panting  eagerness  did  she  search 
for  a  way  of  escape  from  the  terrible  fate  impending 
over  her ! 

Had  the  peace  of  her  own  heart  alone  been  at  stake, 
the  trial  would  have  been  a  lighter  one  for  Helen  L«e 
— the  decision  more  easily  made.  But,  she  loved 
H«nry  WfiUford  truly,  deeply,  and  unselfishly.  All  the 


28  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

purest  and  tenderest  affections  of  her  maiden  heart  had 
gone  out  towards  him  ;  and  to  make  him  happy,  would 
have  been  the  joy  of  her  life.  His  looks,  his  tones,  and 
his  whole  manner,  during  the  last  brief  interview,  were 
daguerreotyped  in  her  mind ;  and  the  question  of  her 
duty  to  him,  came  up  and  arrayed  itself  against  the 
questions  of  duty  to  her  parents.  On  the  side  of  her 
lover,  her  heart  sustained  the  argument :  yet  filial  self- 
devotion  stood  firmly  up,  and  with  the  spirit  of  a 
martyr,  held  its  painful  position. 

"  Have  I  a  right  thus  to  dispose  of  myself?  Is  it  not 
sinful  ?  Will  God  smile  on  such  a  sacrifice  ?" 

These  words  were  spoken  aloud,  as,  in  the  anguish 
of  strong  trial,  she  was  searching  for  a  way  of  escape. 
Their  very  utterance  brought  light  into  the  mind,  and 
imparted  a  measure  of  strength. 

"  No — no,"  she  added,  as  the  light  shone  more  clear- 
ly, "  I  dare  not  do  this.  God  will  not  smile  on  the 
deed.  He  asks  not  so  fearful  a  sacrifice  of  any  heart. 
Death  !  Death  !"  she  added  in  a  quicker  voice — "  Oh  ! 
it  would  be  a  sweet  alternative — a  welcome  visitant." 

Her  pulses  beat  with  a  freer  motion.  A  ray  of  hope 
had  dawned.  Alas !  how  quickly  did  it  fade  away  into 
darkness !  There  came,  at  this  moment  to  her  ears, 
the  sound  of  a  strange  voice  from  below.  It  was  the 
voice  of  a  man,  and  its  sudden  loudness  startled  her 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  29 

Going  quickly  to  the  door  of  her  room,  she  partly 
opened  it,  and  stood  listening.  The  words  that  came 
to  her  ears  left  her  in  no  doubt.  The  voice  was  strange, 
but  it  demanded  the  payment  of  money. 

"  It  is  impossible  to-day,"  she  heard  her  mother 
answer  in  a  distressed  voice. 

"  Impossible,  sir !  we  have  not  tne  money,"  said  her 
father,  in  tones  feeble  and  tremulous. 

"  And  when  will  you  have  it,  pray  ?"  the  man  asked, 
with  rude  impertience. 

To  hear  her  father  spoken  to  thus — her  father,  so 
feeble  in  health,  that  his  physician  had  warned  him 
against  the  danger  of  any  excitement — her  father,  so 
tenderly  loved,  so  highly  honored  and  regarded,  was 
more  than  Helen  could  bear.  At  once  the  balance 
trembling,  so  nicely  equipoised  in  her  mind,  yielded. 
Filial  self-devotion  gained  the  preponderance.  Spring- 
ing, with  a  sudden  impulse  down  the  stairs,  she  con- 
fronted the  rude  collector,  and  said,  with  a  decision  of 
manner  that  surprised  her  parents — 

"  You  shall  be  paid  to-morrow,  sir.  Call  at  this  hour, 
and  the  money  shall  be  ready." 

The  man,  almost  as  much  surprised  as  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lee,  looked  upon  the  flushed  and  indignant  face  of 
Helen  for  a  moment  or  two,  and  then  recovering  him- 
self, said — 


30  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  A  promise  is  all  very  well,  my  young  lady,  but  I 
have  had,  in  the  last  two  or  three  months,  more  than 
enough  of  these.  What  surety  have  I  that  your 
promise  will  be  kept  ?" 

"  I  have  just  said,"  replied  Helen,  drawing  her  form 
up  proudly,  "  that  you  would  be  paid  to-morrow ;  let 
that  suffice." 

"  The  bill  is  sixty-four  dollars,"  said  the  man,  still 
lingering. 

"  If  it  were  a  thousand,  I  have  told  you  that  it  would 
be  paid  to-morrow,"  returned  Helen,  sharply,  while  her 
eyes,  that  were  fixed  upon  the  man,  flashed  with  a  fiery 
indignation,  that  caused  him  to  retreat  a  pace  or  two 
involuntarily. 

Never  before  had  the  parents  of  Helen  seen  her  so 
moved ;  and  they  looked  upon  her  with  a  feeling  of 
wonder.  She  had  made  her  decision,  and  now,  a 
feeling  akin  to  desperation  was  in  her  heart. 

"  To-morrow  at  this  hour  ?"  said  the  collector,  now 
speaking  in  a  respectful  voice,  and  slightly  bowing  with 
a  deferential  air. 

"I  have  said  it,"  was  briefly  answered. 

A  moment  or  two  the  man's  eyes  fixed  curiously 
upon  the  maiden's  excited  face,  and  then  left  the  apart* 
ment.  As  he  did  so,  Helen  turned  and  fled  to  her 
chamber.  Thither  Mrs.  Lee  soon  followed  her,  but  she 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  31 

found  the  door  locked.  Half  an  hour  later  she  came 
again,  but  the  lock  was  still  turned ;  and  it  was  so  at 
the  end  of  an  hour. 

"  Helen  !"  she  now  called ;  for  anxiety  had  overcome 
the  instinctive  reluctance  at  first  felt  to  intrude  herself 
forcibly  upon  her  child.  There  was  no  answer,  nor  any 
movement  heard  within. 

"  Helen,  dear !  Helen  1"  repeated  Mrs.  Lee. 

Still,  all  remained  silent. 

She  called  again,  louder  than  before,  and  rattled  the 
lock.  There  came,  now,  a  feeble,  half-smothered  reply, 
as  of  one  awaking  from  sleep. 

"  Helen,  dear !" 

"  Yes,  mother,  I  will  be  down  in  a  little  while,"  an- 
swered Helen. 

Mrs.  Lee  retired,  but  with  a  troubled,  restless  feeling 
in  her  heart.  What  did  Helen  mean  by  the  promise 
to  pay  so  large  a  sum  on  the  following  day  ?  Over 
and  over  a  hundred  times  had  she  asked  herself  that 
question,  but  no  satisfactory  reply  came.  Where  was 
she  to  get  sixty-four  dollars  ?  All  her  resources  she 
knew  perfectly  well.  There  would  not  be  a  single 
quarter-bill  due  for  a  month.  It  was  in  vain  that  she 
continued  to  puzzle  her  thoughts.  No  satisfactory 
answer  came. 

At  duiuer  time  Helen  joined  her  parents.    She  waa 


32  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

very  pale,  and  the  expression  of  her  countenance 
strangely  altered.  But  she  was  more  cheerful  in  man 
ner  than  she  had  been  for  many  days.  She  made  no 
reference  to  the  exciting  scene  of  the  morning,  until 
her  father  said,  with  much  concern  of  manner — 

"  I'm  afraid,  Helen,  that  you  were  wrong  to  promise 
that  payment  to-morrow.  Where  are  you  to  get  so 
much  money  ?  The  collector  will  certainly  be  here  at 
the  time,  and,  if  disappointed,  will  be  more  uncivil  than 
he  was  to-day,  and  more  inclined  to  give  us  trouble." 

Helen  smiled,  as  she  answered  in  a  composed  voice — 

"  I  did  not  promise  lightly,  father.  I  knew  where  I 
could  get  the  money  by  simply  asking  for  it." 

"  Where,  my  child  ?"  inquired  Mr.  Lee,  looking  at 
his  daughter  very  earnestly. 

"  More  than  one  of  those  by  whom  I  am  engaged  to 
give  lessons,  would,  I  know,  advance,  if  applied  to,  what 
I  need." 

"  I  am  not  so  sure  of  that,  Helen,"  said  Mr.  Lee. 
"  Most  persons  object  to  advances  of  money.  Indeed, 
with  some,  such  an  application  might  end  in  the  loss 
of  scholars.  People  don't  like  to  be  annoyed  in  this 
way." 

"  I  know  at  least  one  person  who  will  neither  object 
nor  be  annoyed,"  said  Helen,  in  a  low,  yet  firm  voice. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  38 

But  she  did  not  look  into  her  father's  face  as  she  snid 
this. 

"  Of  whom  do  you  speak  ?"  enquired  Mr.  Lee. 

"  Of  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  replied  Helen.  Her  voice  was 
still  lower,  yet  it  did  not  in  the  least  falter.  Its  firm- 
ness was  preserved  by  its  depression. 

"  Of  Mr.  Bullfinch  !"  Mr.  Lee  spoke  with  some 
surprise,  yet  with  no  manifestation  of  pleasure.  "  Why 
will  you  apply  to  him  ?" 

"  He  has  always  treated  me  with  great  kindness,"  said 
Helen. 

"  He  was  certainly  very  kind  to  you  to-day,"  re- 
marked Mrs.  Lee,  "  and  we  are  greatly  indebted  to  him 
for  sending  you  home,  instead  of  letting  you  go  from 
house  to  house,  in  wet  garments,  for  the  purpose  of 
giving  your  lessons.  I  have  often  heard  him  spokon 
of  as  a  good-hearted  man." 

"  Good-hearted  only  where  some  selfish  end  is  to  be 
gained,"  said  Mr.  Lee.  "  That  is  my  estimation  of  his 
character." 

Helen  bent  her  head  to  conceal  her  face,  the 
expression  of  which  she  feared  was  passing  from  hei 
control. 

"  Have  you  not  looked  at  him  through  the  glass  of 
prejudice  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Lee. 

"I  believe  not,"  was  firmly  answered.     "I  believ* 
3 


34  THE    OLD    MAN  8    BRIDE. 

not,"  repeated  Mr.  Lee,  After  a  pause,  he  added:  "I 
met  Mr.  Bullfinch  occasionally,  while  in  business,  but 
never  was  much  drawn  towards  him.  The  sphere  of 
every  man's  quality  of  mind  is  around  him,  as  certainly 
»s  the  quality  of  a  rose  is  diffused  in  the  atmosphere, 
and  perceived  by  its  odor,  and  this  quality  may  be,  and 
is  perceived  by  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him.  In 
Mr.  Bullfinch  I  always  had  a  repulsive  perception  of 
something  extremely  sensual  and  selfish." 

"  It  is  hardly  safe,"  replied  Mrs.  Lee,  "  to  decide  upon 
a  man's  character  on  such  slight  and  altogether  intangi- 
ble evidence." 

"  Yet,"  said  Mr.  Lee,  u  it  is  always  safe  to  let  such 
evidence  place  you  upon  your  guard ;  and,  believe  me, 
that  opportunities  for  personal  observation  will,  in  most 
cases,  confirm  the  instinctive  repugnance." 

Helen  listened  to  this  brief  conversation  with  an 
eagerness  that  would  have  betrayed  itself  had  not  the 
observation  of  her  parents  been,  for  the  time,  withdrawn 
from  her.  How  fully  did  her  own  perceptions  of  Mr. 
Bullfinch's  quality  accord  with  those  of  her  father ! 
The  thought  of  becoming  his  wife,  when  it  was  distinct- 
ly presented,  caused  her  heart  to  cease,  for  the  moment, 
its  beating,  and  produced  a  feeling  of  suffocation. 

The  conversation  between  her  father  and  mother  was 
continued  for  some  time,  but  she  took  no  part  in  it 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    DRIDEU  85 

whatever.  To  conceal,  as  far  as  possible,  the  painful 
state  of  mind  from  which  she  was  suffering,  Helen  tried 
to  partake  of  food.  A  few  rnouthfuls  were  received  and 
swallowed — though  producing  on  the  palate  no  sen- 
sation of  taste — and  then  the  forced  effort  was  aban 
doned.  As  soon  as  she  could,  with  propriety,  leave 
the  table,  she  did  so,  and  retiring  once  more  to  her 
chamber,  abandoned  her  feelings  to  any  current  in 
which  they  might  be  inclined  to  flow.  She  did  not 
again  join  her  parents  until  tea-time,  when  she  met 
them  with  a  cheerfulness  which  they  did  not  look  for 
and  which  she  had  scarcely  hoped  to  assume.  The 
father,  however,  saw  much  below  the  false  exterior. 
He  saw  that  Helen  was  acting  a  part ;  but  what  the 
part,  and  why  assumed,  he  could  not  clearly  under- 
stand, 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  day  closed  as  it  had  begun,  cold  and  stormy, 
adding  its  gloom  to  the  already  too  sad  hearts  of  Mr. 
Lee  and  his  family.  Soon  after  tea,  Helen  bade  her 
parents  good  night,  and  retired  to  her  own  room. 
Here  she  strove,  once  more,  to  collect  her  thoughts,  to 
ponder  the  way  before  her,  and  to  search  again  for  the 
means  of  escape.  Her  promises  to  Mr.  Bullfinch,  and 
to  the  collector,  had  narrowed  the  chances  against  her. 
The  one  was  to  have  an  answer  to  his  suit  in  the 
morning,  and  the  other  to  receive  the  large  sum  of 
sixty-four  dollars.  Unless  the  answer  to  Mr.  Bullfinch 
were  favorable,  she  saw  no  way  by  which  the  demand 
of  the  latter  could  be  satisfied. 

Hour  after  hour,  during  the  wretched  night  that 
followed,  the  unhappy  girl  remained  awake,  now  pon- 
dering, with  shrinking  heart,  the  fearful  abyss  down 
which  she  was  about  to  plunge,  and  new  eagerly 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  i7 

renewing  the  search  for  a  path  leading  l.o  a  place  of 
safety.  It  was  long  after  midnight,  when  she,  at 
length,  found  temporary  relief  in  sleep.  When  she 
awoke,  the  sun  was  shining  brightly  into  her  window. 
The  storm  had  passed  away,  and  the  face  of  nature 
smiled  again.  Alas !  her  heart  gave  back  no  answering 
smile.  Dark  and  portentous  clouds  were  yet  above  and 
around  it. 

The  time  for  a  decision  had  come.  Ere  mid-day, 
the  unfeeling  collector  would  be  there,  and  his  demand 
must  be  satisfied.  Was  there  no  other  resource  for  the 
poor  girl  but  Mr.  Bullfinch  ?  In  ten  families  she  gave 
music  lessons,  and  six  out  of  the  ten  families  were 
welathy.  Among  these,  was  there  no  true  woman  to 
whom  she  could  go  and  find  wise  counsel  and  aid  in 
her  great  extremity  ?  Was  there  not  a  single  heart  of 
sympathy  among  all  these  1  No  one  able  and  willing 
to  stand  forth  and  forbid  the  fearful  sacrifice  about  to 
be  offered  up  ?  We  know  not.  But,  doubtless,  there 
was.  Yet,  even  where  there  exists  a  humane  regard 
for  others,  how  rarely  does  it  suffer  itself  to  become 
fully  interested !  How^  quick  are  we  to  turn  away 
with  indifference  when  the  needy  and  the  seeker  present 
them,so.lves  ! 

As  the  time  of  decision  drew  nearer  and  nearer,  a 
fediug  of  desperation  came  over  the  maiden's  heart. 


38  THB  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  This  must  not  be  !"  she  said,  with  a  sudden  energy 
of  feeling,  as  she  stood  thoughtful   in   her  chamber, 
prepared,  at  a  much  earlier  hour  than  usual,  to  go  out. 
u  This  must  not  be.     I  will  make  one  effort,  at  least,  t 
gain  time,  even  if  all  is  lost  in  the  end.     Mrs.  Barke 
has  been  very  kind ;  has  always  shown  great  interest 
in  me.     To  her  I  am  indebted  for  many  scholars.     She 
cannot,  she  will  not  refuse  to  help  me  in  this  great 
extremity.     I  will  go  to  her,  and  tell  her  everything." 

With  this  resolution,  Helen  left  her  home  that  morn- 
ing. 

Mrs.  Barker   was   a   widow,   with    two   daughters. 

O 

She  had  a  large  income,  and  was  regarded  in  society  as 
a  humane  and  liberal  woman.     In  many  of  the  public 
charities  she  took  an  active  part,  and  contributed  of  her 
money  freely  to  their  support.     Her  style  of  living  was 
expensive,   but  not  beyond   what  her   ample  means 
would  justify.      In    her  intercourse  with   others,   no 
matter  what  their  condition,  she  was  generally  kind  and 
lady-like.     In  part,  this  flowed  from  natural  goodness 
and  in  part  from  a  desire  tc  be  thought  well  of  b 
'every  one. 

Mrs.  Barker  sat  reading.  The  book  was  one  of 
'imaginary  pictures;  yet  the  groupings  were  from  char- 
acters in  real  life.  Against  the  wrong  now  visible,  the 
heart  of  the  reader  was  indignant ;  and  now  she  sym- 


THB    OLD    MAN'S    BBIDE.  39 

pathised  deeply  with  suffering  innocence.  Those  who 
knew  of  this  suffering,  and  yet  relieved  it  not,  and 
those  who  remained  in  ignorance  thereof,  from  lack  of 
thought,  she  blamed  alike.  "  I  would  not  have  done 
so,"  she  said  to  herself,  with  a  feeling  of  self-complacent 
virtue.  As  she  thus  thought  within  herself,  a  servant 
came  to  say  that  Miss  Lee  was  in  the  parlor,  and  would 
like  to  speak  with  her. 

"  This  is  not  the  day  for  your  Spanish  lesson,  Clara  ?" 
said  Mrs.  Barker,  speaking  in  a  slight  tone  of  surprise 
to  her  eldest  daughter,  a  young  lady  in  her  eighteenth 
year. 

"  I  don't  take  my  Spanish  lesson  until  to-morrow," 
replied  Clara. 

"  I  wonder  what  she  can  want  ?  Perhaps  she  has 
mistaken  the  day.  You  had  better  go  down  and  soa 
her,  Clara." 

Clara  went  down  to  the  parlor,  while  Mrs.  Barker 
re-opened  her  book.  She  was  in  the  midst  of  a  scene 
that  drew  strongly  on  her  sympathies,  and  the  inter- 
ruption had  not  been  altogether  agreeable.  She  had 
just  caught  up  the  broken  thread  of  the  narrative, 
when  Clara  returned,  and  said  that  it  was  her  mother 
Helen  wished  to  see. 

"  What  does  she  want  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Barker,  in  a 
disappointed  tone. 


40  -5HK  OLD  MAN'S  BBIDH. 

"  I  don't  know,  mother.     She  didn't  say." 

"  Well,  I  suppose  I  must  see  her."  And  Mrs. 
Barker,  with  a  reluctance  that  she  did  not  seek  to  con 
ceal,  laid  aside  her  book,  and  arose  to  leave  the  room. 

"  I  don't  think  she  is  very  well,"  remarked  Clara. 
"  I  never  saw  her  look  so  badly.  There  isn't  a  bit  of 
color  in  her  cheeks." 

Scarcely  heeding  this,  Mrs.  Barker  withdrew,  and 
descended  to  the  parlors,  in  one  of  which  she  found 
the  young  teacher. 

"  Well,  Helen,"  she  said,  rather  coldly,  as  Miss  Lee 
arose  on  her  entrance. 

This  coldness  was  perceived  by  the  poor  girl,  and  it 
dashed  the  hope  of  succor  she  had  permitted  herself  to 
cherish.  She  stood,  her  eyes  upon  the  floor,  and  with- 
out the  courage  to  make  known  tin  purpose  of  her 
visit. 

"  Sit  down,  Helen,"  said  Mrs.  Barker,  noticing  her 
embarrassment.  Helen  sunk  back  into  the  chair  from 
which  she  had  just  arisen.  She  had  not  yet  uttered  a 
single  word. 

"  You  wished  to  see  me,  Clara  said."  If  there  had 
been,  in  the  voice  of  Mrs.  Barker,  anything  of  sympa- 
thy, Helen  would,  in  the  abandonment  of  a  heart 
appalled  by  the  approach  of  utter  ruin,  have  throwu 
herself  upon  her,  aud  cried — "  Oh  !  save  me  !  save 


THB    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  41 

me !"  As  it  was,  she  hurriedly  sought  to  compose 
herself,  and,  as  soon  as  she  was  composed  enough  to 
speak,  said — 

"  I  am  not  very  well,  Mrs.  Barker,  and  if  you  do  not 
object,  would  like  to  omit  Clara's  lesson  to-morrow." 

"  Object,  Helen  !"  replied  Mrs.  Barker,  with  manifest 
surprise,  at  so  singular  an  application.  "  Why  should  I 
object?  Sickness  is  a  sufficient  excuse  under  all  cir- 
cumstances." 

Helen  cast  her  eyes  to  the  floor,  and  remained  silent 
for  a  few  moments,  in  hurried  conference  with  herself, 
as  to  whether  she  should  make  known  the  real  object 
of  her  visit.  But  the  repulsive  sphere  of  the  lady  was 
so  strong,  that  she  felt  her  case  to  be  hopeless. 

"  Good  morning,  ma'am,"  she  said,  as  she  arose  up, 
and  slightly  inclined  her  body. 

There  was  something  in  the  tones  of  Helen's  voice, 
and  in  her  manner,  as  she  said  this,  and  then  turned 
away,  and  almost  ran  from  the  house,  that  Mrs.  Barker 
did  not,  for  a  long  time,  forget.  Scarcely  had  the  jar 
of  the  closing  door  ceased  to  vibrate  in  the  ears  of  the 
lady,  ere  she  repented  of  her  coldness,  and  wished  that 
she  had  received  the  visitor  in  a  different  spirit.  But 
it  was  now  too  late  to  remedy  the  evil. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

"  /  SHALL  not  have  even  this  to  sustain  me."  These 
last  words  of  Helen  Lee,  as  she  hurriedly  turned  from 
Henry  Wellford,  at  their  last  interview,  kept  ringing  in 
the  young  man's  ears  ;  and  as  he  pondered  them,  he 
saw  but  too  clearly  the  painful  struggle  through  which 
her  heart  was  passing. 

"  Her  love  for  me  is  still  the  same."  This  was  tha 
just  conclusion  to  which  he  arrived,  so  soon  as  the 
agitated  waters  of  his  spirit  had  time  to  run  clear. 
M  Why,  then,  does  she  propose  that  we  be  to  each  other 
hereafter  as  strangers  ?  Oh,  poverty !  Thou  art  a 
curse !" 

In  this  bitter  exclamation,  Wellford  answered  his 
own  question.  Still,  the  answer  was  far  from  being 
entirely  satisfactory.  There  was  a  future  for  them  both. 
He  had  ability,  industry  and  energy  ;  and  he  was  will- 
ing to  suffer,  to  work  and  to  wait.  Could  Helen  not 
do  the  same  ?  Why  this  sudden,  unwomanly  impa- 


THE   OLD   MAN'S   BRIDE.  43 

tience  ?  The  more  he  thought,  the  more  difficult  to  be 
found  seemed  the  clue  to  Helen's  strange  conduct. 
But  for  the  words — "  /  shall  not  have  even  this  to  sus- 
tain me,"  he  would  have  fallen  back  on  the  usua 
explanation  in  such  cases— estranged  affection.  He 
could  not  do  so  now.  He  knew  that  she  loved  him. 
What,  then  could  it  mean  ?  Why  did  she  wish  to 
break  the  cord  entwining  both  their  hearts,  and  feeling 
a  mutual  pulsation  ?  As  he  continued  to  think,  sugges- 
tion after  suggestion  was  presented  ;  and  among  them 
one  near  the  truth ;  yet  that  was  quickest  repelled,  as 
both  monstrous  and  impossible. 

"  No — no — no  I"  he  said,  with  an  inward  shudder, 
"  she  would  never  make  that  sacrifice.  There  is  about 
her  too  much  of  the  true  woman  for  that." 

And  he  cast  the  thought  from  his  mind. 

"  What  can  it  mean  ?"  Again  and  again  the  dis- 
tressed young  man  asked  himself  this  question.  But 
his  thoughts  gave  back  no  reliable  answer.  If  Helen 
were  alone  in  the  world,  how  clear  would  have  been 
the  way  before  him  1  He  would  have  gone  to  her, 
and  asked  her  at  once  to  become  the  sunshine  of  his 
humble  dwelling;  or,  if  Providence  had  blessed  him 
with  abundance,  would  have  opened  wide  the  doors  of 
home  and  heart,  to  take  in  the  beloved  ones  for  whom 
ehe  was  toiling  with  auch  an  earnest  self-devotion 


44  THE  OLD   MAN'S  DKIDE. 

Alas  for  him  1  neither  of  these  conditions  existed.  She 
was  not  alone,  and  he  was  poor.  His  slender  income 
barely  sufficed,  under  a  system  of  the  closest  economy, 
to  procure  for  himself  and  mother  the  meagre  necessa- 
ries and  a  few  of  the  comforts  of  life.  To  have 
proposed  any  thing  to  Helen,  under  such  circumstances, 
would  have  been  a  mockery — and  so  the  young  man 
felt  it 

The  gloomy  day  had  waned  towards  evening,  and 
Wellford  was  about  bringing  his  uncheered  labors  to  a 
close,  when  the  merchant  in  whose  service  he  was,  drew 
him  aside  and  said — 

"  Henry,  I  have  for  some  time  wished  to  see  you 
getting  a  higher  salary.  Your  ability  is  worth  more 
than  you  receive.  And  yet,  in  my  business,  only  a 
certain  sum  can  be  paid  for  assistance.  That  sum  is 
now  paid,  and  cannot  be  increased.  If  there  was  a 
vacancy  above  you,  I  would  at  once  promote  you  to 
that  vacancy.  .But,  as  you  know,  none  exists,  or  is 
likely  for  some  time  to  exist  I  cannot  fill  your  place 
to  my  satisfaction  as  well  as  it  is  now  filled ;  that  I  know 
too  well.  Still,  I  am  not  so  selfish  as  to  wish  to  keep 
you  when  an  opportunity  for  rising  is  offered.  There 
is  such  an  opportunity  now,  Henry.  Do  you  wish  to 
embrace  it  ?" 

The  young   man's  face   flushed,   and    he    became 


TUB    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  45 

instantly  excited.  Is  it  any  wonder ;  With  as  much 
composure  as  he  could  force  himself  to  assume,  he 
replied — 

"  I  need  very  much  an  increase  of  salary,  Mr.  Vin- 
cent ;  but  have  no  wish  to  leave  your  service." 

"Your  duty  to  yourself  is  first,  Henry,"  said  the 
merchant.  "  I  can  fill  your  place  without  trouble ; 
though  not  so  well  as  it  is  now  filled,  I  am  assured ; 
but  an  opportunity  like  the  present  may  not  offer  to 
you  again  for  years." 

"  What  is  the  situation  to  which  you  refer  ?"  asked 
Wellford,  by  no  means  concealing  the  eager  interest  he 
felt 

"  You  are  aware,  I  suppose,  that  Mr.  Burton,  one  of 
Lane  &  Latta's  book-keepers,  has  been  in  very  poor 
health  for  a  long  time.  Well,  I  heard  this  morning 
that  his  physician  had  positively  ordered  him  to  leave 
the  desk,  and  travel  for  at  least  two  or  three  months. 
His  place  will,  in  consequence,  be  vacant." 

"Not  permanently  ?" 

"  Yes.  His  physician  says  that  he  must,  wnen  his 
strength  is  sufficiently  restored,  seek  other  and  more 
active  employment.  He  has,  accordingly,  given  notice 
to  Lane  &  Latta  that  he  will  be  obliged  to  give  up  hia 
situation  finally." 

"  He  receives  a  thousand  dollars  a  year." 


46  THE   OLD    MAN'fi    BRIDK. 

"  Yes  ;  that  is  the  salary." 

"Do  you  think  it  possible  for  me  to  obtain  the 
place  ?"  said  Wellford,  holding  his  breath  as  he  waited 
for  a  reply. 

"  I  do,"  was  the  assured  answer. 

•There  will  be  many  applicants,  so  soon  as  it  is 
known  that  Burton  intends  to  leave." 

"  We  must  be  in  advance  of  these  applications,"  said 
Mr.  Vincent,  in  a  manner  that  showed  his  entire  con- 
fidence in  the  result. 

"  I  have  no  acquaintance  with  Messrs.  Lane  & 
Latta,"  said  Wellford. 

"  But  I  have,"  replied  his  kind  employer,  "  and  my 
word  with  them  will  go  a  great  way.  In  fact,  Henry 
to  set  your  mind  at  rest,  I  have  already  spoken  to 
them,  and  the  place  is  yours  if  you  are  willing  to  accept 
of  it." 

"  Oh,  sir !"  exclaimed  Wellford,  suddenly  grasping 
the  hand  of  Mr.  Vincent,  and  exhibiting  strong  emotion, 
"  I  will  never,  never  forget  this !  You  don't  know  the 
good  you  have  done." 

Mr.  Vincent  smiled,  and  said  something  kind,  about 
the  just  reward  of  faithful  service,  adding — 

Ever  be  as  true  to  the  interests  of  your  future 
employers  as  you  have  been  to  mine,  Henry,  and  you 
will  never  want  for  friends  to  promote  your  interests, 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDK.  47 

Ability  and   honesty  are  ever  in  demand ;   and   the 
higher  the  ability  the  more  ample  will  be  the  reward." 

Though  clouds  and  darkness  were  in  the  sky  when 
Henry  Wellford  turned  his  steps  homeward  on  that 
evening,  the  face  of  nature  was  not  gloomy  to  him. 
Light  seemed  shining  all  around  him,  and  he  walked 
with  a  step  so  elastic  that  he  scarcely  seemed  to  leave 
his  weight  upon  the  earth.  After  telling  his  mother 
of  his  good  fortune,  and  taking,  hurriedly,  his  evening 
meal,  for  which  he  found  little  appetite,  he  dressed 
himself  to  go  out,  determined  at  once  to  call  upon 
Helen  Lee,  tell  her  of  his  good  fortune,  and  offer  hia 
hand  in  marriage. 

A  few  times  only  had  Wellford  visited  Helen  at  her 
father's  house.  He  did  not  belong  to  a  family  which, 
from  any  cause — whether  from  wealth,  or  from  literary 
or  professional  standing — had  gained  a  prominent  place 
in  the  community.  His  father,  a  poor  but  honest  man, 
had  lived  and  died  in  obscurity,  though  honoring  the 
position  he  held,  and  transmitting  his  virtues  to  a  son 
better  educated  than  he  had  been,  and,  therefore,  better 
tted  for  that  higher  place  in  society  he  was  destined 
to  gain.  His  visits  to  Helen  were  not  smiled  upon  by 
Mrs.  Lee,  whose  mind  had  become  fixed  in  the  hope  of 
social  elevation  through  the  marriage  of  her  accom- 
plished child.  How  this  was  to  be  brought  about,  she 


48  THE  OLD  MAK'S  BRIDE. 

did  not  exactly  know.  Extreme  poverty  had  excluded 
Helen  from  that  social  contact  formerly  enjoyed ;  and 
now,  she  only  entered  the  mansions  of  wealth  as  a 
humble  and  unregarded  teacher.  We  are  forced  to 
say,  that  the  marked  interest  shown  by  Mr.  Bullfinch, 
in  sending  Helen  home  in  a  carriage  through  the 
storm,  had  affected  her  with  a  pleasure  beyond  what 
the  simple  act  of  kindness  might  legitimately  have 
awakened.  Almost  truant  to  themselves,  her  thoughts 
played  with  pictures  drawn  against  the  future,  in  which 
Helen,  as  the  wife  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  formed  a  prominent 
figure.  Half  ashamed  of  herself,  the  mother  would 
sweep  an  obliterating  hand  across  these  pictures;  but, 
ere  she  was  aware  of  it,  fancy  would  sketch  them  again, 
while  she  looked  on  dreamily,  yet  with  a  pleased  emo- 
tion. And  thus  it  was,  at  times,  through  all  that  day 
of  agony  to  her  nearly  distracted  child. 

Thus  it  was  at  an  early  hour  in  the  evening,  when 
there  came  a  knock  at  the  door.  Mrs.  Lee  opened  it, 
and  there  stood  Henry  Wellford. 

"  Is  Helen  at  home  ?"  he  enquired. 

Mrs.  Lee  held  the  door  partly  open ;  and,  without 
asking  the  young  man  to  walk  in,  replied — 

"  She  is  in ;  but  not  well.  She  has  retired  to  her 
room." 

Wellford  expressed  regret,  and  asked  if  she  were 


THE    OLD    MAN  S    BRIDE.  49 

seriously  indisposed.      Mrs.  Lee  answered,  indifferently, 
that  she  had  taken  some  cold. 

"  If  not  too  much  indisposed  to  come  down,  I  should 
like  particularly  to  see  her  this  evening.  Will  you  say 
this  to  her,  Mrs.  Lee  V 

"  I  cannot  permit  her  to  be  disturbed,"  was  coldly 
replied. 

Still  the  young  man  lingered,  while  the  damp  air 
swept  against  Mrs.  Lee's  thinly  clad  person,  causing  her 
to  close  the  door  farther ;  almost,  in  fact,  shutting  it  in 
Well  ford's  face. 

"  Good  evening,  sir,"  she  said,  finally  ;  and  in  the  next 
moment,  the  generous  lover  of  her  daughter,  who  had 
come  to  lay  his  hand  and  opening  fortune  at  her  dis 
posal,  stood  alone,  repulsed  rudely,  on  the  outer  thresh- 
old. 

Indignant  pride  held,  for  a  time,  the  mastery  over 
Wellford.  At  first,  he  permitted  himself  to  belie vo 
that  Mrs.  Lee  had  repulsed  him  in  accordance  with  her 
daughter's  wishes.  But  his  cooler  judgment  made  a 
more  correct  decision.  This  decision  was  strengthened 
by  the  fact  that  Mrs,  Lee  had  treated  him  with  exceed- 
ing formality  on  each  of  his  previous  visits.  At  the 
house  of  a  mutual  friend,  he  had  most  frequently  met 
her,  and  an  intimacy,  almost  as  unreserved  as  that 
between  a  brother  and  sister,  had  grown  up  between 
5 


. 

50  riiK  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

them.  Freely  had  they  spoken  to  each  other  of  what 
was  personal  to  themselves,  their  hopes,  fears,  trials  and 
privations ;  and,  without  a  formal  avowal  of  love  on 
he  one  side,  or  a  looking  for  it  on  the  other,  they  had 
»me  to  regard  the  uncertain  future  as  a  way  they  were 
to  tread  side  by  side;  and  that  thought  was  the 
pleasantest  of  all  the  thoughts  that  flowed  through  their 
minds. 

No  wonder  that  the  sudden  interruption  of  this 
bought  produced  turbulence  in  the  minds  of  both. 

From  the  residence  of  Helen,  Wellford  returned 
immediately  home.  Half  the  night  was  spent  in  pon  • 
dering  the  new  aspect  which  things  had  so  suddenly 
assumed.  In  the  morning,  with  a  calmer  mind,  he  was 
able  to  look  at  the  whole  subject. 

"  I  must  and  will  see  her."  This  he  said  as  he  left 
home.  He  had  frequently  met  Helen,  on  her  way,  at 
an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  to  give  lessons,  and  thus 
secured  the  brief  pleasure  of  seeing  her  face,  and  listen- 
ing to  a  voice  the  tones  of  which  grew  daily  mora 
musical  to  his  ears.  Now,  he  would  see  her  with  a 
more  defined  and  higher  purpose. 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  ALL  lost !  all  lost !"  sobbed  the  wretched  girl,  aa 
she  hastily  retired  from  the  dwelling  of  Mrs.  Barker, 
and  took  her  way,  she  knew  not,  in  the  bewildered  state 
of  her  mind,  whither.  Utterly  hopeless  as  she  now 
was,  fluttering  like  a  charmed  bird  almost  in  the  very 
jaws  of  the  serpent,  she  yet  held  back  from  the  6rml, 
dread  alternative  that  loomed  up  the  more  awfully  the 
nearer  it  approached. 

With  her  eyes  cast  upon  the  ground,  Helen  moved 
along  with  hurried  steps,  the  agitation  of  her  mind 
giving  fleetness  to  her  motions,  and  continued  to  walk 
for  nearly  an  hour ;  when,  in  some  measure,  recovering 
her  external  consciousness,  she  looked  around  in  sur- 
prise to  find  that  she  was  in  a  strange  part  of  the  city 
and  remote  from  her  home.  Retracing,  now,  her  steps 
and,  at  the  same  time,  forcing  her  thoughts  to  a  con 
eideration  of  what  was  next  to  be  done  in  the  limited 
Bpaco  of  time  left  to  her,  she  took  her  way  toward* 


62  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  attracted  thitherward  by 
an  influence  which  she  did  not  seek  to  resist,  and  yet 
she  was  not  fully  determined  to  go  there,  without 
another  effort  to  escape  the  doom  that  now  seemed 
almost  inevitable.  She  had  reached  the  neighborhood 
iu  which  Mr.  Bullfinch  resided,  and  was  only  a  short 
distance  from  his  house,  when,  lifting  her  eyes,  she  saw, 
a  few  paces  in  advance  of  her,  one,  whom  of  all  others, 
she  least  wished  to  encounter — her  lover,  Henry  Well- 
ford.  And  yet,  how  the  sight  of  him  caused  her 
heart  to  bound,  and  the  blood  to  rush  in  hot  currents 
through  all  her  veins  !  How  earnestly  did  her  woman's 
nature  take  up  instantly  the  plea  for  him,  and  chide 
the  cold,  mercenary,  calculating  spirit  to  whose  influence 
she  was  giving  herself  up  body  and  soul. 

Wellford  was  not  approaching  Helen,  and  did  not, 
therefore,  see  her  at  the  moment  she  recognized  him. 
How  little  knew  she  of  what  was  in  his  thought !  How 
little  dreamed  she  that  he  was  then  in  search  of  her  • 
and  that  he  was  both  able  and  ready  to  save  her  from 
a  fate  more  dreaded  than  death. 

Checking  her  pace,  Helen  lingered  along,  in  order 
that  Wellford  might  get  sufficiently  in  advance,  to 
remove  the  danger  of  observation.  A  crowd  of  pas- 
sengers hiding  him,  for  the  space  of  a  minute  from  her 
sight,  she  found  herself  suddenly  within  a  few  feet  of 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  53 

him.  He  had  paused  on  a  corner,  and  was  gazing, 
first  along  one  street  and  then  another,  his  eyes 
alternately  ranging  both  pavements.  At  the  moment 
he  was  partly  turned  from  her ;  starting  quickly  for- 
ward, she  almost  brushed  him  with  her  garments, 
passing  and  hurrying  on.  For  the  time,  her  heart 
ceased  to  beat,  and  her  breath  was  suspended. 

"  Helen !  Helen  !" 

In  an  instant  after  his  voice  reached  her.  Why,  why 
did  she  not  obey  the  quick  impulse  of  her  heart,  and 
pause  as  that  voice,  to  her  ears  so  full  of  music,  fell 
upon  her  ears  ?  Why  did  she  not  turn  for  one  more 
look  at  the  face  so  beautiful  to  her  eyes  ?  Had  she 
done  so,  she  would  have  been  saved.  Alas !  that  it 
was  otherwise.  For  an  instant  only  were  her  steps 
arrested;  then,  like  a  frightened  deer,  she  started 
forward,  and  quickly  disappeared  from  the  sight  of 
Wellford,  who  did  not  attempt  to  follow,  but,  with  a 
heavy  heart,  took  his  way  to  his  place  of  business. 
Fortune  had  begun  to  smile  upon  him ;  but,  how  cold 
he  smile  now,  that  was  so  warm  and  bright  when  its 
oeams  first  shone ! 

Panting  from  excitement  and  speed,  Helen  next 
found  herself  at  the  door  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  and,  with  a 
kind  of  blind  desperation,  ascended  the  marble  steps, 
and  placed  her  hand  upon  the  bell  to  ring  for  admission 


54  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

But,  ere  the  summons  was  given,  the  native  delicacy  of 
her  pure  heart  aroused  itself  against  the  unmaidenly 
act,  and,  still  irresolute,  she  was  about  turning  away, 
when  the  door  opened,  and  Adam  Bullfinch  met  her 
face  to  face. 

"My  dear  girl!"  he  exclaimed,  seizing  her  hand, 
and  drawing  her  with  a  force  she  had  neither  the 
strength  of  mind  or  body  to  resist,  into  the  hall,  closed 
the  door,  and  led  her,  now  all  passive,  to  her  destiny, 
into  the  elegant  parlors  where  she  was  so  soon  to  pre- 
side as  mistress ! 

"My  dear  Miss  Lee!"  He  still  held  tightly  the 
hand  of  the  poor  young  girl  '•  I  have  been  looking 
for  you  this  hour.  My  heart  told  me  you  would  be 
here" — he  laid  a  hand  gracefully  on  his  bosom — "  and 
more  than  this,  told  me  that  my  love  for  you  was  no 
rejected  passion." 

The  words  were  like  heavy  strokes  on  the  heart  of 
Helen.  She  caught  her  breath,  panted,  grew  faint,  and 
would  have  sunk  to  the  floor,  had  not  the  arm  of  Mr. 
Bullfinch,  who  saw,  from  her  extreme  paleness,  that  she 
was  suddenly  ill,  been  drawn  around  her.  Her  head 
drooped  upon  his  shoulder.  Not  voluntary,  oh  no  I 
She  had  become  half  unconscious.  Slightly  alarmed, 
the  old  man  bore  her  to  a  sofa,  and  commenced  bath- 
ing her  face  with  cold  water.  He  called  for  no  attend 


THB    OLB    MAN'S    BRIDK.  55 

auce.     In  fact,  his  niece  was  not  at  home.     In  expec- 
tation  of    the    coming  of    Helen,   he    had    induced 
er,  on  some  pretence,  to  go  out  on  a  visit  for   the 
morning. 

Suspended  consciousness  was  but  temporary.  Helen 
boon  recovered,  and  arose  from  the  reclining  position  in 
which  she  had  been  placed.  Mr.  Bullfinch  was  holding 
her  hand  ;  but  now  she  forcibly  withdrew  it  from  hia 
grasp,  a  movement  that  caused  a  shadow  to  flit  over  his 
animated  face. 

"  You  have  come  to  a  decision,  Helen,  or  you  would 
not  be  here,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  endeavoring  to  recover 
the  hand  of  his  victim,  but  not  succeeding  in  the  effort. 
"  Do  not  keep  me  long  in  suspense ;  and  before  you 
speak,  remember  how  much  is  at  stake." 

This  was  unwisely  said.  Helen  did  remember  how 
much  was  at  stake,  and  it  caused  her  to  start  in  sudden 
terror,  at  thought  of  the  horrible  pit  opening  at  her 
feet,  to  rise  quickly  from  the  sofa,  and  spring  towards  the 
door,  saying,  as  she  did  so,  in  an  agonized  voice — "  O, 
spare  me !  In  mercy  spare  me !  I  am  too  weak  fo 
this.  Kill  me ;  but  ask  me  not  to  encounter  so  fearfui 
an  ordeal." 

Pausing,  ere  she  had  reached  the  door,  the  wretched 
creature  pressed,  convulsively,  her  open  hands  over  her 
face.  A  gush  of  tears  gave  vent  to  the  stifling  oppres- 


56  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDB. 

sion  of  her  bosom,  and  sinking  into  a  chair,  she  sobbed 
for  a  time  violently. 

There  came  not  to  the  selfish  heart  of  Adam  Bull- 
finch, as  he  looked  upon  the  quivering  form  of  the 
opr  girl,  now  within  his  toils,  the  smallest  motion  of 
relenting.  In  fear  of  losing  the  object  of  his  sensual 
regard,  his  passion  grew  into  an  intenser  flame ; 
and,  with  the  skill  of  the  mere  sensual  man,  he  com- 
posed and  controlled  his  exterior  with  most  consummate 
art. 

Until  Helen  had  grown  calm,  Mr.  Bullfinch  did  not 
speak  again ;  but  he  was  by  her  side,  caeessing  a  hand 
she  had  relinquished ;  not  without  resistance.  With 
the  utmost  tenderness  he  now  spoke  to  her ;  but  he  did 
not  urge  his  suit  as  at  first. 

"  It  is  a  hard  life  that  you  are  leading,  Helen,"  he  said 
with  such  well  assumed  sympathy,  that  her  heart  was 
deceived,  and  it  leaned,  hearkening,  and  with  a  softened 
response,  to  the  tone. 

"  A  life,"  he  continued,  "tnat  is  ooscuring  and  destroy- 
ing one  fitted  to  adorn  the  highest  station." 

Jhjs  was  not  adroitly  said.  It  appealed  to  her  pride, 
and  that  was  nearly  extinct  Perceiving  the  lack  of 
response,  Mr.  Bullfinch,  after  a  moment's  silence,  re- 
sumed— 

M  You  have  seemed  in  trouble  for  some  time,  Helen. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  57 

Will  you  not  confide  in  me  as  a  true  friend  ?  There  is, 
believe  me,  none  living  who  would  do  more  to  secure 
your  happiness  than  I.  Come !  Make  me  your  confi- 
dant. Tell  me  freely  of  your  anxieties,  your  cares, 
and  your  fears,  and  if  there  is  power  in  a  human  arm, 
they  shall  be  relieved.  Love  ever  seeks  to  bless  its  ob- 
ject." 

"  I  am  in  trouble,"  said  Helen,  with  the  calmness  that 
always  follows  the  subsidence  of  strong  emotiou. 

"  Speak,  then.  Let  it  have  full  utterance.  There 
is  no  human  ear  that  will  listen  so  earnestly  as 
mine." 

Helen,  with  partly  averted  face,  remained  silent. 

"  Your  father  is  in  poor  health,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch 
slowly.  "  His  physcian  has  forbidden  all  exertion,  bod- 
ily, as  well  as  mental.  On  vour  feeble  arm  rests  the 
heavy  burden  of  sustaining  the  family.  But  your  arm 
is  too  weak.  Will  you  not  let  me  hold  it  up  ?  I  have 
manly  strength.  Let  me  put  it  forth  in  your  behalf. 
Believe  me,  that  the  privilege  of  doing  so  will  be  the 
3arest  pleasure  of  my  life." 

"  Oh,  sir  !"  exclaimed  Helen,  turning  suddenly  towards 
Lim,  "  you  can  aid  me  if  you  will." 

A  smile  of  encouragement  lit  up  the  old  man  s  coun- 
tenance. 


58  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE, 

"  Speak  !"  said  he.  "  Speak  freely,  my  dear  Miss  Lee. 
To  your  wish  I  can  only  give  a  quick  response." 

"  My  father  needs -" 

"  Go  on,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  seeing  that  Helen  paused 
with  hesitation. 

"  Our  circumstances  are  very  limited,  as  you  must 
know,  Mr.  Bullfinch."  Helen  was  now  entirely  self-pos- 
sessed, and  as  she  spoke,  she  looked  calmly  into  the  old 
mat '?  face.  "  My  earnings  are  our  sole  income.  But 
these  have,  hitherto,  proved  insufficient  for  our  wants, 
small  as  we  have  endeavored  to  make  them.  Several 
debts  have  accumulated,  and  the  persons  to  whom  they 
are  owed,  have  become  impatient.  Yesterday,  a  man 
to  whom  sixty-four  dollars  is  owed,  demanded  its  pay- 
ment. He  was  angry  and  insolent.  Distressed  be- 
yond measure  at  my  parents'  distress,  I  desperately 
promised  the  payment  of  the  money  this  morning.  If 
you  can  lend  me  that  sum,  or  advance  it  on  Fanny's  les- 
sons, the  act  will  be  one  for  which  my  heart  will  bless 
vou." 

"  Is  it  so  bad  with  you,  my  poor  child  1"  said  Mr.  Bull- 
finch with  great  tenderness.  "  Why  did  you  not  tell  me 
of  this  before  1  Have  I  not  ever  sought  your  friendship 
and  confidence  1  Have  I  not  always  manifested  the 
warmest  interest  in  vour  welfare  1" 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  59 

He  was  now  holding  her  hand  tightly,  and  looking 
'ondly  into  her  face. 

"  You  have  but  to  say  the  word,"  he  continued,  "  and 
all  I  have  is  yours.  One  little  word,  spoken  now,  will 
lift  you,  and  those  you  love  with  such  deep' self-devo 
tion,  above  the  shadow  of  earthly  evil.  I  hold  your 
promise  to  an  answer  to  my  suit  this  morning.  Are 
you  ready  for  the  response  ?  Think,  dear  Helen,  how 
much  you  have  to  gain  for  you  and  yours  :  and  think 
of  the  exquisite  happiness  you  will  confer  upon  one, 
who,  until  he  looked  upon  your  sweet  young  face,  never 
saw  the  angel  of  his  being.  Say  that  you  will  be  mine, 
Helen,  and  the  words  will  unlock  for  you  the  iron  doors 
of  wealth.  A  day  need  not  pass,  before  the  joy  of  see- 
ing your  parents  forever  raised  above  the  pressure  of 
want  and  care,  may  be  yours.  Can  you  look  at  them, 
and  hesitate  f ' 

Helen  was  silent  for  a  few  moments.  But,  her  elec- 
tion was  made.  That  appeal  in  favor  of  her  parents 
had  decided  the  question.  But,  there  was  still  a  mat- 
ter of  justice  that  she  wished  to  settle — justice  to  her 
infatuated  suitor.  If  he  took  her,  he  must  take  her  for 
what  she  was.  She  could  yield  him  a  hand,  but  she 
had  no  love  to  give.  So  far  as  she  was  concerned,  tho 
struggle  was  now  over.  The  throbbings  of  her  heart  had 
eeased.  Upon  its  surface  had  passed  an  icy  calm  ;  and 


80  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE, 

if  there  was  agitation  beneath,  it  was  far  too  deep  for 
visible  manifestation. 

"  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  said  she,  her  fine  person  seeming  to 
grow  taller  under  his  admiring  gaze,  while  a  change 
passed  over  her  pale  countenance  that  excited  a  moment's 
surprise,  flow  beautiful  it  was,  in  its  pale,  cold,  elevated 
dignity !  "  Mr.  Bullfinch,  you  have  asked  of  me  this 
hand,  in  marriage.  It  is  yours " 

She  extended  the  hand,  which  he  seized  eagerly,  and 
covered  with  kisses.  Not  a  flush  passed  over  her  face. 
There  was  no  softness  in  her  «old,  bright  eyes.  An  ob- 
server would  have  noticed  on  her  finely  arched  lips,  a 
slight  curving  motion,  and  he  would  not  have  mistaken 
Ms  meaning. 

"  But" — she  added,  as  the  ardent  lover  lifted  his  eyes 
again  to  her  countenance — "  that  is  all  it  is  in  my  powei 
to  give  you.  The  heart,  Mr.  Bullfinch,  is  not  so  easy  of 
disposal." 

"  I  will  trust  for  that,"  said  he  fondly.  "  Love  begets 
love.  I  have  no  fears.  Give  me  the  hand,  and  I  will 
not  despair  of  the  heait.  That  will  come  in  its  own 
good  time.  Oh !  you  have  made  me  the  happiest  man 
alive,  to  day." 

And  with  ardor  he  kissed  her  brow,  cheek,  and  lips. 
Helen  did  not  shrink  from  the  salutation ;  but  her  re- 
ception of  it  was  statue-like.  Her  eyes  now  rested 


THB   OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  61 

upon  a  mantle  clock,  and  she  saw  that  it  was  near  the 
Lour  when  the  money  she  had  promised  must  be  paid. 

"  Let  me  repeat,  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  and  Helen  spoke 
with  solemnity,  "  that  my  heart  cannot  go  with  my 
hand  ;  and  you  must  never  hope  to  possess  it.  I  will 
be  to  you  dutiful  and  faithful.  All  in  my  power  will 
be  done  for  your  happiness.  But,  love  goes  not  at  the 
mere  bidding.  I  do  not  love  you — I  can  never  love 
you.  The  difference  between  us  is  too  great.  And  now; 
sir,  if,  after  this  declaration,  you  wish  to  withdraw  the 
offer  you  have  made,  still  hold  yourself  at  full  liberty  to 
do  so." 

"  Not  for  a  moment  will  I  think  of  it,"  replied  Mr. 
Bullfinch,  with  ardor — "  no,  not  for  a  moment.  Angel  1" 
And  again  seizing  her  hand,  he  pressed  it  to  his  lips. 
"  Be  it  the  highest  aim  of  my  life  to  secure  your  happi- 
ness." 

From  Helen  there  was  not  the  slightest  response. 
Nothing  could  have  been  colder  or  more  passive  than  her 
reception  of  this  little  piece  of  fond  enthusiasm  on  the 
part  of  her  lover. 

"  Ah,  my  Helen,"  ne  resumed,  "  you  do  not  yet  know 
me  fully.  You  cannot  realize  how  entirely  my  life  will 
be  devoted  to  your  happiness,  and  to  that  of  your  pa- 
rents." 

"  For  the  sake  of  my  parents,"  said  Helen,  in  a  voice 


62  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

from  which  all  feeling  was  removed,  "  I  would  do  and 
sacrifice  everything  I  dare  sacrifice.  And  now,  that  you 
refer  to  them,  let  us  understand  each  other  iu  regard  to 
the  future.  My  home  must  be  their  home." 

"  I  desire  nothing  else,"  was  quickly  answered. 

"  They  must  be  at  once  raised  above  care  and  want ; 
in  fact,  above  all  anxiety  touching  the  future." 

"  It  shall  be  as  you  wish,  Helen.  You  cannot  be 
happy  without  seeing  them  happy  ;  and  your  happiness 
I  desire  above  all  things.  Such  filial  devotion  I  honor. 
And,  moreover,  it  is  an  earnest  to  me  of  a  pleasant 
future.  So  devoted,  self-sacrificing  a  daughter,  cannot 
but  make  a  good  and  loving  wife.  Heaven  bless  you, 
sweet  one !" 

"  And  now,  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  said  Helen,  rising — he 
kept  tightly  hold  of  her  hand — "  I  can  remain  no  longer. 
The  time  has  already  come  when  my  promise  to  the  col- 
lector must  be  fulfilled.  I  wish  to  keep  my  word  with 
him,  as  well  as  save  my  parents  from  the  pain  his  inso- 
ence  will  occasion." 

Mr.  Bullfinch  released  her  hand,  and  going  to  a  secre- 
tary which  stood  in  one  of  the  parlors,  unlooked  it,  and, 
taking  a  purse,  filled  it  with  pieces  of  gold. 

"  Here,  sweet  one,"  said  he,  placing  the  money  in  her 
hands,  and  kissing  her  white  cheek  as  he  did  so,  "  go 
home  quickly  and  set  the  hearts  of  your  parents  at  rest. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  63 

They  may  thank  Heaven  for  so  good  a  child,  as  I  do  for 
the  destiny  of  so  good  a  wife." 

Helen  received  the  purse,  and,  without  looking  at  it, 
hrust  it  in  her  pocket. 

"  You  will  call  as  usual,  to-morrow,"  said  Mr.  Bull- 
finch. "  We  will  then  talk  about  the  future." 

"  Call  here,  Mr.  Bullfinch !"  returned  Helen,  in  a  tone 
of  surprise. 

"Yes — no — why — I  did'nt  think" — stammered  the 
old  man — "  oh  no  ;  of  course  not.  It  wouldn't  be  just 
delicate  for  you  to  visit  here  now.  But  when  shall  I  see 
you  again  ?" 

"  That  will  be  according  to  your  own  good  pleasure," 
replied  Helen}  coldly. 

"  I  will  visit  you  this  evening." 

Helen  inclined  her  head  in  acquiescence,  and  then, 
with  a  "  Good  morning,  sir,"  turned  and  passed  hurriedly 
from  the  room.  At  the  door,  Mr.  Bullfinch,  who  had 
followed  with  light  footsteps,  was  by  her  side.  He  had 
lifted  his  hat  from  the  rack,  in  passing,  and  was  now 
ready  to  accompany  her  in  her  walk  home.  Against 
this  she  offered  a  feeble  remonstrance ;  but  gallantry 
and  inclination  were  not  to  be  overcome. 

Of  the  many  tender  things  said  by  Mr.  Bullfinch,  and 
anheard  by  Helen,  we  will  make  no  record.  They  parted 


64  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE, 

at  her  father's  door,  Helen  not  even  looking  into  his 

face,  nor,  in  fact,  giving  to  his  stealthy  pressure  of  her 

hand,  or  low  spoken — "  I  will  see  you  to-night,"  the 
smallest  response. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

IT  was  eleven  o'clock,  the  time  at  which  the  collector 
was  to  receive  his  money,  and  yet,  Helen,  who  had  been 
out  nearly  three  hours,  had  not  yet  returned.  For  more 
than  an  hour,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 'Lee  sat  awaiting,  momen- 
tarily, the  return  of  their  daughter.  Thought  was  busy ; 
but  their  feelings  too  much  oppressed  for  conversation. 
Apd  so  both  remained  silent. 

Eleven  o'clock  had  come,  and  still  Helen  was  absent, 
and  now  each  listened  for  a  knock  at  the  door  in  a  state 
of  nervous  anxiety.  Both  started,  at  length,  at  a  loud, 
impatient  rap.  Mrs.  Lee  answered  the  summons,  and 
there  stood  the  hard-featured  collector. 

"  Well,  madam  ?"  spoke  the  man,  with  a  rude  famil- 
iarity of  tone,  "  I'm  here." 

"  Will  you  walk  in,  sir  ?"  said  Mrs.  Lee. 

He  entered,  and  was  conducted  to  the  small  sitting- 
room. 

"  Good  day."  Mr.  Lee  arose,  and  handed  him  a 
chair. 


66  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Well,  sir,"  said  the  collector,  as  he  sat  down,  "  I'm 
here  at  the  hour.  Is  the  money  you  promised  me, 
ready  ?" 

"  I  didn't  promise  you  any  money,"  replied  Mr.  Lee, 
much  fretted  at  the  man's  insolent  manner  that  he 
could  not  control  his  feelings. 

"  Didn't   promise  to    pay  me  sixty-four  dollars    at 
eleven  o'clock,  to-day !" 
"No,  sir." 

"  Ah,  pray  what  did  you  promise  then  ?"  asked 
the  collector,  in  a  voice  still  more  insolent  and  annoy- 
ing. 

"  I  promised  nothing.  I  had  no  present  means  of 
paying  your  bill,  and  I  told  you  so." 

"  Too  bad  !  I  ought  to  have  known  you  were  merely 
trifling  with  me  to  gain  time.  But,  it  will  be  \i»orse  for 
you  ;  mark  my  word  for  it !  Promised  nothing,  ha?  I 
wonder  why  I'm  here  at  precisely  eleven  o'clock  ?" 

"  My  daughter  promised,  under  excitement  of  feeling, 
wrongly  promised — to  pay  your  bill  this  morning,"  said 
Mr.  Lee,  speaking  more  firmly,  and  in  that  manly,  re- 
active tone  which  always  subdues  vulgar  impertinence. 
"  That  she  is  making  an  effort  to  keep  her  promise,  her 
absence  for  some  hours  is  to  me  sufficient  evidence. 
We  look  for  her  return  every  moment.  Whether  she 
will  bring  the  mocey  or  not,  is  more  thata  I  can  tell.  I 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  67 

almost  hope  she  will  not.  You  can  await  her  return, 
or  leave  the  house,  as  best  suits  your  fancy.  In  either 
case,  it  is  of  little  consequence  to  me.  Your  rudeness, 
I  might  better  call  it  insolence,  has  made  me  quifce  in- 
different. As  to  the  consequences  which  you  have  so 
freely  threatened,  I  stand  in  no  fear." 

The  collector  did  not  anticipate  a  reaction  like  this. 
It  came  upon  him  so  suddenly,  that  he  cowered  under 
ihe  fixed  gaze  of  Mr.  Lee,  who,  at  once  conscious  of  the 
power  he  had  gained,  kept  his  eye  upon  him  as  he  would 
have  done  upon  a  wild  beast.  He  was  still  holding  him 
thus  at  bay,  when  the  street  door  was  heard  to  open  ; 
then  light  feet  came  alor.g  the  passage. 

"  Remember,  sir  !"  said  Mr.  Lee,  sternly,  "  not  an  im- 
proper word  or  tone  to  my  child,  under  any  circum- 
stances. If  she  have  not  the  money  for  you,  it  is  no 
fault  of  hers." 

Helen  entered  the  room  as  he  was  speaking.  So  al- 
tered was  the  expression  of  her  face,  that  her  parents 
hardly  recognised  her. 

"  My  child !"  exclaimed  Mr.  Lee,  "  what  has  hap- 
pened 2" 

She  did  not  answer  him,  but  turning  to  the  collector, 
said,  somewhat  sternly, 

"  Here,  as  I  expected." 

As  she  spoke,  she  drew  from  her  pocket  the  purse  re- 


68  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

ceived  from  Mr.  Bullfinch,  adding,  as  she  commenced 
counting  out  the  pieces  of  gold, 

"  I  have  kept  my  promise.  Your  money  is  ready  for 
you." 

Not  anotner  word  was  spoken,  until  the  collector,  afte* 
receiving  the  amount  of  his  bill,  and  passing  a  receipt, 
uttered  a  subdued  good  morning.  He  was  rougher  and 
ruder  as  a  collector  than  as  a  man.  To  a  great  extent, 
his  business  had  encrusted  his  feelings  with  a  hard  and 
jagged  exterior.  For  the  first  time,  in  many  weeks,  ho 
was  touched  by  what  he  saw  ;  and,  as  a  thought  of  his 
own  daughter  came  into  his  mind,  accompanied  with  a 
question  as  to  the  price  Helen  Lee  might  have  paid  for 
gold,  a  low  chill  ran  along  his  nerves. 

"  I  didn't  think  it  was  quite  so  hard  with  them,"  he 
said  to  himself,  as  he  left  the  house.  "  Money  is  often 
gained  at  too  great  a  cost,  and  has  been  in  this  instance, 
I  greatly  fear.  Ah,  me  !  This  is  a  hard  business.  I 
sometimes  wish  I  were  well  out  of  it.  A  man  must 
have  iron  nerves,  and  a  heart  like  steel." 

Thus  musing  to  himself,  he  passed  on  his  way.  The 
tenderness  and  regret  were  but  momentary.  Soon,  the 
man  was  in  occultation,  while  the  collector  gained  the 
ascendant.  The  inner  softness  was  hidden  by  the 
rough,  jagged,  acquired  exterior. 

"  My  dear  child  !"  said  Mr.  Lee,  catching  hold  of  his 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  69 

daughter,  the  moment  they  were  freed  from  the  collec- 
tor's presence,  and  speaking  in  a  voice  of  deep  concern — 
"what  have  you  done?  Where  did  you  get  all  thia 
money  ?  Speak,  my  child  !  Oh,  speak  !" 

Helen  had  dreaded  this  meeting  with  her  parents. 
While  hurrying  homeward,  her  thoughts  had  gone  for 
ward,  picturing  the  interview  which  had  now  come,  and 
she  had  sought  to  prepare  herself  for  it,  and  to  fix  a 
rule  of  action.  Alas !  of  how  little  avail  do  we  often 
find  preparation  for  a  great  heart-trial !  It  proved  of  no 
avail  now.  For  a  brief  time  only  did  Helen  struggle 
against  o'errnastering  emotion ;  then  with  a  low,  burst- 
ing sob,  she  let  her  head  fall  upon  his  bosom.  How 
still  she  lay  there ;  all  the  strength  of  mind  she  could 
rally,  striving  for  external  composure.  This  was  at 
length  gained  ;  when  raising  herself  up,  and  laying  her 
hands  upon  her  father's  temples,  she  pressed  backwards 
his  fast  whitening  locks,  and  said,  with  a  loving  smile, 
that  seemed  like  sun-light  suddenly  breaking  on  her 
pale  face — 

"  You  shall  know  all,  soon." 

"All  what,  dear  Helen  !  All  what?  I  am  fright- 
ened. What  have  you  done  \  Why  concealment 
now  ?  Speak  out,  my  child  ;  speak  now,  if  you  love 
me." 

"  Have  you  seen  Mr.  Bullfinch  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Lee.    She 


70  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

had  her  own  thoughts,  and  she  wished  to  verify  them 
•is  quickly  as  possible. 

"  1  have,"  replied  Helen  ;  the  smile  she  had  assumed 
fading  from  her  countenance. 

"  And  you  received  this  money  from  him  ?"  continued 
Mrs.  Lee. 

"  Yes,  mother.  To  his  kindness  are  we  indebted  for 
timely  relief! ' 

"  Helen !"  Mr.  Lee  held  his  daughter  from  him,  and 
gazed  into  her  face  with  a  look  of  intense  anguish. 
"  Helen  !"  and  he  spoke  with  solemnity — "  At  what 
price,  my  child  ?  At  what  price  ?" 

"  You  will  know  that  soon,  dear  father  !"  replied  Helen, 
now  regaining  her  self-possession.  "  Mr.  Bullfinch  will 
be  here  to-night." 

She  moved  away  a  pace  or  two,  saying  that  she  had 
lessons  to  give  during  the  morning. 

"  I  cannot  remain  in  doubt,  Helen,"  said  Mr.  Lee ; 
*'  suspense  like  this  is  more  than  I  am  able  to  bear.'' 

"  You  shall  know  all  in  good  time.  But  do  not 
urge  me  now,"  returned  Helen ;  "  for  I  can  speak  no 
further." 

"  Has  Mr.  Bullfinch  asked  you  to  marry  him  ?"  said 
Mr.  Lee,  advancing  towards  Helen,  and  grasping  the 
hand  a  few  moments  before  withdrawn  from  him.  She 
tried  to  escape,  but  her  father  kept  a  firm  hold. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDB.  71 

"  Speak,  dear.     Say  yes  or  no.     I  ask  but  a  word." 

A.  breathless  silence  followed.  Then,  with  averted 
eyes,  she  answered, 

"  Yes." 

"  I  fearea  as  much,"  returned  Mr.  Lee,  sadly.     " 
feared  as  much.     Oh !"  clasping  his  hands  together 
and  looking  upwards — "  has  it  come  to  this — to  this !" 

"  And  you  have  given  consent  ?"  he  added,  a  few 
moments  after.  But  Helen,  instead  of  answering,  went 
hastily  from  the  room.  A  little  while  afterwards  she 
came  down  from  her  chamber,  and  without  saying  any- 
thing to  her  parents,  or  even  turning  her  face  toward 
them  as  she  passed  through  the  room  where  they  were 
sitting,  left  the  house  to  give  her  lessons  in  music  as 
usual. 

"Dreadful!  dreadful!  dreadful!  That  it  should 
come  to  this !"  almost  sobbed  Mr.  Lee. 

"  Come  to  what  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Lee,  who  had,  from  the 
first,  been  far  less  moved  than  her  husband. 

Mr.  Lee  gazed  at  his  wife,  in  undisguised  wonder,  for 
a  short  time. 

"  Come  to  what,  did  you  say  ?"  he  at  length  asked  in 
a  half  rebuking  voice. 

"  What  dreadful  consequence  do  you  fear,  Mr.  Lee ! 
Mr.  Bullfinch's  proposals  are,  of  course,  perfectly  houoi- 
able." 


72  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Honorable  !  Good  Heavens,  Helen  !  This  from 
you  !" 

Mr.  Lee  was  strongly  excited.  His  wife  looked  re- 
buked ;  but  it  was  more  from  his  manner,  than  from 
ny  clear  comprehension  of  the  error  she  had  commit- 
ied  in  seeming  to  favor  the  marriage  of  her  daughter 
with  Mr.  Bullfinch  ;  for  both  understood  clearly  enough 
that  this  question  was  now  to  come  up  for  consideration 
and  decision.  After  a  few  moments,  Mrs.  Lee  said — 

"  If  Mr.  Bullfinch  comes  to  us  with  honorable  propo- 
sals for  the  hand  of  our  daughter,  and  she  is  willing  to 
accept  his  offer,  what  will  you  do  !" 

"  Never,  while  I  live,  will  I  consent  to  so  unnatural  a 
sacrifice,"  replied  Mr.  Lee,  warmly. 

"  But,  if  Helen  have  already  accepted  his  offer.  What 
then 2" 

"  She  has  not  done  so." 

"  She  has  taken  from  him  a  gift  of  money,"  said  Mrs. 
Lee. 

"  No — no — no,"  replied  the  father.  "  Not  a  gift,  but 
a  loan.  Only  an  advance  on  the  tuition  of  his  neice.  It 
can  be  nothing  more." 

"  She  had  a  purse  full  of  gold.  It  could  not  have 
contained  less  than  two  or  three  hundred  dollars. 

Mr.  Lee  groaned  aloud. 

"My  own  impression  is,''  said  Mrs.  Lee,  apd  the  tone 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  73 

in  which  she  spoke  did  not  indicate  much  distress  of 
mind  arising  from  the  conviction — "  that  Helen  has 
consented  to  become  the  wife  of  Mr.  Bullfinch.  If  this 
ta  so,  opposition  on  our  part  will  be  unavailing.  As 
something  inevitable,  let  us  look  at  it  with  at  least  a  de- 
gree of  calmness." 

"  Calmness  I  Oh,  Helen  !"  said  Mr.  Lee,  reproach- 
fully. 

"  Mr.  Bullfinch,  besides  having  large  weaitn,  is  a  man 
in  good  social  standing,"  resumed  his  wife.  "  The  only 
drawback  is  his  age.  But,  if  Helen  can  accept  of  this, 
she  may  be  happier  with  him  than  as  the  wife  of  a 
younger  man,  less  favorably  circumstanced,  and  with  an 
undisciplined  character.  Think,  Mr.  Lee,  from  what  a 
condition  of  toil,  anxiety,  and  suffering  she  will  at  once 
be  lifted." 

"  Into  gilded  misery,"  said  Mr.  Lee,  bitterly,  "  and 
there  is  none  so  hard  to  endure  as  that.  Helen  !  Helen  ! 
Do  not  talk  so  to  me.  From  your  lips  I  did  not  expect 
to  hear  words  like  these.  Would  you  sell  your  child's 
happiness  for  gold  ?" 

"  Happiness  !"  returned  Mrs.  Lee,  in  a  voice  of  equal 
bitterness.  "  For  her,  poor  child !  there  has  been  little 
for  a  year  or  two  past,  that  we  might  call  by  that  name. 
Any  change  has  in  it  a  promise  of  good  ;  and  this  one, 
't  seems  to  me,  of  great  good." 


74  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Good  in  such  a  life-companionship !  Oh,  Helen ! 
Poverty  has  strangely  altered  you,  or  you  never  would 
speak  thus.  Never — never !  Poor  child  !  How  sadly 
her  white  face  told  the  story  of  her  heart-despair  in 
prospect  of  so  fearful  a  sacrifice.  But  it  cannot — it 
must  not  take  place." 

"  Do  you  know  any  harm  of  Mr.  Bullfinch  ?"  asked 
Mrs.  Lee. 

"  Oh,  Helen  !  Helen  !  You  will  drive  me  distracted. 
Are  you  not  a  woman  and  a  mother  ?  How,  then;  can 
you  favor  such  a  marriage  ?  In  it,  there  cannot  be  a 
single  element  of  conjunction — nothing  of  a  true  mar- 
riage. The  adjunction  will  be  merely  external,  and 
attended  by  a  sphere  of  repulsion,  on  one  side  at  least, 
that  will  be  the  fruitful  of  untold  misery.  An  old  man, 
sixty  years  of  age,  and  a  confirmed  sensualist  at  that — 
and  a  pure  young  girl,  in  the  bloom  of  innocent  mai- 
denhood !  The  angels  would  weep  at  such  a  union ! 
I  could  smile,  and  thank  God  for  the  death  of  my  child, 
as  I  stood  by  her  newly-made  grave,  if  death  had  snatched 
her  from  a  fate  like  this." 

"  You  look  only  at  the  shadows  in  this  picture,  Mr. 
Lee,"  said  his  wife,  in  answer.  "  It  has  strong  lights 
as  well  as  deep  shadows.  They  must  be  allowed  to 
blend  under  our  vision,  if  we  would  truly  appreciate 
the  picture.  Look  for  a  moment  at  our  present 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  74 

condition.  Could  anything  be  more  hopeless  ?  Could 
there  be  for  our  child  a  rougher  way  in  life,  or  a  stormier 
sky?" 

"  Eougher  and  stormier  a  thousand  fold  !"  replied  Mr 
Lee.  "  A  very  paradise  are  her  present  surroundings, 
to  what  they  will  be,  if  so  sad  a  fate  as  to  become  the 
wife  of  old  Adam  Bullfinch  awaits  her." 

"  I  cannot  see  and  feel  as  you  do,"  said  Mi's.  Lee. 
"  Helen  must  act  her  own  good  pleasure  in  the  matter. 
If  she  thinks  she  can  be  happy  as  the  cherished  wife  of 
Mr.  Bullfinch,  why  should  we  object  ?  Above  the 
thousand  ills  that  are  now  sapping  the  very  foundations 
of  her  life,  she  will  be  at  once  removed.  It  is  no  use 
to  talk  about  it.  I  cannot  see  anything  so  dreadful  in 
such  a  marriage.  Old  men  are  proverbially  tender  and 
indulgent  to  their  young  wives.  Better  be  an  old  man's 
darling,  you  know,  than  a  young  man's  slave." 

"  Spare  me,  Helen  !  Spare  me !''  exclaimed  Mr.  Lee, 
putting  up  his  hands,  while  an  expression  of  blended 
pain  and  disgust  darkened  his  countenance.  "  From 
another,  I  might  have  borne  this  with  some  patience  ; 
but,  from  you,  it  is  terrible.  Never,  never,  shall  my 
voice  sanction  so  fearful  an  outrage  of  all  that  is  pure, 
and  good,  and  holy." 

Under  this  strong  reaction,  Mrs.  Lee  remained  silent 
"X  et  did  she  not  feel  the  force  of  her  husband's  objeo 


76  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

tion.  Already  her  fancy  was  picturing  in  warm  colors, 
the  proud,  social  elevation  that  her  daughter  would  at- 
tain. To  be  lifted  at  once  from  extreme  poverty,  to 
ease,  wealth,  and  abundance,  was  a  change  which  she 
could  not  contemplate,  without  a  feeling  of  lively  satis- 
faction. For,  looking  at  this  consummation,  so  devoutly 
to  be  wished,  she  could  not  see  the  painful  steps  by 
which  it  must  be  attained.  So  dazzled  were  her  eyes 
by  the  glitter  of  the  golden  exterior,  that  the  ghastly 
skeleton,  shrouded  in  gorgeous  attire,  was  wholly  invis 
ible. 

Thus  were  the  parents  of  Helen  Lee  affected,  when 
the  prospect  of  so  great  a  change  in  the  future  life  of 
their  daughter  was  suddenly  presented.  Mrs.  Lee  had 
been  a  woman  of  the  world — we  will  not  say  a  heart- 
less woman  of  the  world,  for  that  would  be  giving  rather 
too  unfavorable  an  impression  of  her  character.  She 
had  a  higher  appreciation  of  things  external  than  of 
things  internal ;  for  she  comprehended  them  much 
more  clearly.  A  condition  in  life,  and  its  power  to  give 
happiness,  she  could  understand ;  but  she  was  not  able 
clearly  to  realize  how  a  state  of  mind  could  make  or 
mar  everything.  They  were  all  very  unhappy  in  con- 
sequence of  their  poverty,  and  the  evils  it  entailed  upon 
them  ;  and  it  seemed  to  her  that  wealth  would  restore 
the  sunshine.  The  prospect  of  this,  presented  so  unex- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  77 

* 

pectedlv,  dazzled  her.  Not  so  her  husband.  He  had 
ever  been  unworldly.  A  man  of  pure,  deep  feeling,  he 
understood  how  much  of  life's  happiness  depends  upon 
states  of  mind.  Helen's  true  character — its  purity,  deli 
cacy,  and  womanly  sensibility — he  understood  much 
better  than  his  wife  ;  and  he  at  once  comprehended,  and 
with  a  distinctness  that  made  him  shudder,  ihe  conse- 
quences that  would  inevitably  follow  such  a  marriage  as 
•"•as  proposed. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  more  Mrs.  Barker  thought  about  her  treatment 
of  Helen,  the  more  uncomfortable  her  feelings  became. 
Her  icy  reception  had,  evidently,  prevented  the  young 
teacher  from  making  known  some  request,  upon  the 
granting  of  which,  much,  it  migbt  be,  depended. 

"  I  will  see  her  when  she  comes  in  the  morning  to 
give  Clara  a  lesson,  and  learn  in  what  way  I  can  serve 
her." 

With  this  resolution,  she  endeavored  to  dismiss  the 
subject  from  her  mind,  but,  for  some  reason,  it  would 
keep  returning,  and  troubling  her. 

"  I  will  try  and  get  her  a  few  more  scholars,"  said 
Mrs.  Barker,  as  she  still  thought  of  Helen.  "  Her  pa- 
rents are  entirely  dependent  upon  her,  and  I  hardly 
think  her  income  can,  at  present,  be  equal  to  their 
\rants.  Struggling  industry  needs  encouragement  and 
aid  at  times,  as  well  as  absolute  indigence.  I  did  think 
of  letting  Madame  Arcot  give  Maggy  lessons  in  French 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  79 

in  order  to  secure  the  true  Paris  pronunciation ;  but 
Helen's  French  is  very  pure,  and  I  am  not  certain  that 
I  would  really  gain  anything  for  my  daughter,  by  giv- 
ing her  a  foreign  instructor.  There  are  -many  things 
about  Madame  Arcot  which  I  do  not  like,  and,  besides, 
she  has  not  always  borne  the  most  unblemished  charac- 
ter. I  think,  upon  the  whole,  I  will  give  Miss  Lee  ano- 
ther scholar.  And  there  are  Jane  and  Florence  Ewing. 
Only  yesterday  I  was  talking  with  their  mother  about 
Madame  Arcot,  and  she  was  hesitating  on  the  question 
of  employing  her  as  their  teacher.  A  word  from  mo 
will,  I  know,  determine  the  question  in  her  mind.  If  I 
say  that  I  prefer  Miss  Lee,  and  am  about  engaging  her 
to  give  lessons  to  Maggy,  she  will  decide  to  do  the  same. 
This  will  give  Helen  three  more  scholars,  and  make  a 
very  important  addition  to  her  income." 

Her  mind  now  thoroughly  interested,  Mrs.  Barker 
called  upon  Mrs.  Ewing,  who  was  very  ready  to  act  from 
her  suggestion.  And  not  only  so ;  becoming,  through 
Mrs.  Barker,  interested  in  Helen,  she  promised  to  get  up 
an  interest  for  her  among  her  friends,  and  did  not,  in  the 
least,  doubt  her  ability  to  secure  for  her  some  two  or 
three  more  scholars. 

Greatly  relieved  in  mind,  Mrs.  Barker  waited  fov  the 
appearance  of  Helen,  on  the  next  morning.  The  hour 
had  nearly  arrived,  at  which  she  usually  came,  when  she 


80  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

remembered  that  the  lesson  had  been  deferred  on  account 
of  indisposition. 

u  That  was  but  an  excuse  to  cover  some  more  impor 
tant  request,  which  my  want  of  kindness  prevented  her 
from  making.  She  will  probably  come  as  usual." 

And  in  this  she  did  not  err  ;  for,  even  as  she  thought 
so,  Helen  entered.  There  was  so  marked  a  change  in 
her  appearance,  that  Mrs.  Barker  could  hardly  help  an 
exclamation  when  she  came  in.  Marks  of  intense  men- 
tal pain  were  strongly  visible  on  her  pale  face,  and  there 
was  a  tightness  about  her  lips,  that  no  longer  arched 
gracefully.  Her  eyes,  usually  drooping  and  modest, 
looked  strangely  large,  and  in  them  was  something  that 
Mrs.  Barker  could  not  comprehend,  and  from  which  she 
shrunk  instinctively. 

"  You  have  been  sick,  Miss  Lee,"  said  she.  "  Why 
did  you  come  out  this  morning  ?" 

"  I  am  quite  well,"  Helen  replied ;  but  without  refer- 
ring to  the  fact  that  she  had  asked  the  privilege  of  omit- 
ting a  lesson,  on  the  plea  of  indisposition.  There  was 
a  coldness  in  the  tones  of  her  voice,  unmarked  before, 
and  a  distance  in  her  manner  that  repelled. 

"  When  you  called  yesterday,"  said  Mrs.  Barker,  now 
forcing  herself  to  approach  a  subject  that  was  upper- 
most in  her  mind,  "  my  attention  was  so  much  occupied 
with  a  book  I  was  reading,  that  nay  manner  must  hava 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  8i 

seemed  to  you  repulsive.  It  did  not  occur  to  me,  untu 
after  you  had  gone  away,  that,  in  all  probability,  your 
visit  to  me  was  of  more  importance  than  merely  to  ask 
permission  to  omit  a  lesson  on  account  of  indisposition. 
In  fear  that  my  absent  manner  may  have  repulsed  you, 
I  have  been  troubled  ever  since.  Am  I  right  in  this 
conclusion  ?" 

"  You  are,"  replied  Helen,  with  cold  dignity. 

"  I  regret,  exceedingly,  that  you  did  not  make  known 
your  wishes,"  said  Mrs.  Barker,  with  earnest  kindness. 
"  Believe  me,  that  if  I  can  serve  you  in  any  thing,  I 
will  do  so  with  sincere  pleasure.  What  did  you  wish 
to  ask  of  me  ?" 

"  The  advance  of  a  sum  of  money  on  Clara's  lessons, 
in  order  to  pay  a  small  debt,  for  which  my  poor  father 
was  sorely  troubled.  In  a  moment  of  desperation,  on 
hearing  him  abused  and  threatened,  I  promised  that  the 
money  should  be  paid  by  a  certain  hour.  I  had  no 
present  means  to  do  this,  and,  in  a  moment  after  the 
promise  was  made,  felt  that  I  had  done  wrong.  But 
my  word  was  given  and  must  be  kept.  I  knew  where 
I  could  get  the  needed  assistance,  but,  above  all  things, 
wished  to  avoid  that  application  ;  and  so,  ma'am,  I 
came  to  you,  believing  that  you  had  not  only  the  heart 
to  feel  for  me,  but  the  willing  hand  to  help  me  in  ray 
extremity." 


82  THE    OLD    MAN  S    BRIDE. 

"  So  I  have,  Miss  .Lee !  So  I  have,"  replied  Mra. 
Barker  warmly.  "  How  much  money  do  yon  need  ! 
Oh !  why  did  you  not  make  free  to  tell  me  this,  yester- 
day?" 

And,  while  she  said  this,  Mrs.  Barter  drew  ner  purse 
from  her  pocket. 

"  I  was  choked  when  I  saw  you,  and  could  not  utter 
a  word  of  what  was  in  my  mind,"  replied  Helen,  with 
a  distance  and  reserve  that  Mrs.  Barker  partly  attributed 
to  an  offended  state  of  mind. 

"  It  is  not  now  too  late  to  aid  you,"  resumed  Mrs.  Bar- 
ker. "  Teh1  me  how  much  you  need,  and  be  assured, 
Miss  Lee,  that  I  will  supply  the  sum  with  heart-felt 
pleasure." 

u  It  is  too  late,"  said  Helen  in  a  tone  that  came  like 
a  freezing  breath  on  the  feelings  of  her  auditor. 

"  Too  late !  Say  not  so,  Miss  Lee.  Have  you  ob- 
tained the  needed  sum  2" 

"  I  have." 

"  From  whom  did  you  get  it  F* 

There  was  a  pause  of  some  moments.  Then  Helen 
answered,  in  a  voice  that  betrayed  but  little  feeling — 

"  From  Mr.  Bullfinch." 

"  Adam  Bullfinch !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Barker,  in  BUT- 
prise.  "  Why,  of  all  others,  did  you  apply  to  him  f 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  83 

"  Because  I  knew  that  I  had  but  to  make  known  ray 
want,  and  it  would  be  supplied." 

"And  it  was 2" 

"  It  was." 

"  Did  he  advance  tne  sum  you  needed  on  tne  lessons 
you  were  giving  his  niece  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Barker,  hei 
eyes  fixed  earnestly  on  the  face  of  Helen. 

"  I  asked  the  money  as  an  advance,"  was  coldly  re- 
plied. 

"  How  much  did  you  require  ?" 

"  The  debt  was  sixty-four  dollars." 

"  I  will  lend  you  the  money,  or  double  the  sum,  if 
required.  Here  it  is,"  and  she  unclasped  her  purse. 
"  Take  it,  and  at  once  cancel  this  obligation  to  Mr.  Bull- 
finch. Was  there  none  but  him  to  whom  you  could  go 
for  such  a  favor  ?" 

"  None,"  sighed  Helen,  as  she  pushed  back  the  hand 
of  Mrs.  Barker.  "  I  thank  you  for  your  kindness  ;  but 
it  is  too  late,  now." 

"  Too  late  !  Miss  Lee.  Too  late !  How  am  I  to  un- 
derstand this  ?"  said  Mrs.  Barker,  in  visible  concern. 

"  Time  will  explain  all,"  murmured  Helen,  speaking 
in  part  to  herself.  Then,  rising,  she  said,  "  It  is  late, 
and  I  have  two  more  lessons  to  give  this  morning.  Is 
Clara  in  her  room  ?" 

"A  moment  longer,"  said  Mrs.  Barker,  laying  her 


g4  THE    OLD     MAN'S    BRIDE. 

hand  upon  the  arm  of  her  auditor.  "  I  have  some  good 
news  for  you.  Mrs.  Ewing  tok!  me,  yesterday,  that  sho 
was  going  to  engage  you  to  give  French  lessons  to  her 
two  daughters.  And  I  have  another  scholar  for  you, 
besides." 

The  expression  that  came  into  the  face  of  Helen,  when 
Mrs.  Barker  said  this,  was  one  of  pain  rather  than  plea- 
sure. It  was  evident  that  she  was  disturbed  by  a  quick 
emotion,  to  subdue  which  cost  her  a  strong  effort.  In 
a  little  while,  she  replied,  calmly — 

"  Two  days  ago,  this  would  have  been  pleasant  news 
to  me ;  but  it  is  of  no  particular  interest,  now.  I  have 
concluded  to  make  no  more  engagements,  and  to  give 
up  all  rny  present  scholars,  at  the  end  of  their  respective 
quarters. 

"  Why,  Helen  !  What  does  this  mean  !"  exclaimed 
Mrs.  Barker.  "  WThat  are  you  going  to  do  ?" 

Helen  had  no  voice  to  reply.  There  was  a  genuine 
interest  in  the  lady's  manner,  that  touched  her  feelings  ; 
the  more  so,  as  the  full  conviction  now  dawned  clearly 
on  her  mind,  that,  if  she  had  but  spoken  out  freely 
what  was  in  her  heart,  on  the  day  before,  she  might 
have  been  saved  from  the  dread  alternative  she  had 
so  reluctantly  taken.  It  was  too  late,  now.  A 
little  while  she  sat  silent,  striving  to  regain  her  icy 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  &5 

self-possession.     Failing  in  this,  she  left  the  room  ab- 
ruptly. 

At  all  this,  Mi's.  Barker  was  greatly  troubled  ;  and 
sorely  did  she  repent  of  her  fatal  indifference  on  the  day 
before. 

"  When  golden  opportunities  are  lost,"  she  sighed, 
"  how  rarely  do  they  return  to  us  again  !  We  only 
have  the  present  in  which  to  do  good ;  and  if  the  pres- 
ent is  neglected,  it  passes  away  from  us  forever.  Poor 
child  !  What  has  she  done  ?  What  can  be  the  meaning 
of  her  suddenly  formed  resolution,  to  give  up  her  pres- 
ent occupation  ?  Surely,  she  cannot  have  consented  to 
become — " 

She  left  the  sentence  unfinished  in  her  own  mind. 
She  could  not,  even  in  thought,  utter  the  word  that  was 
suggested. 

"  I  must  see  her  again  before  she  leaves  the  house," 
said  Mrs.  Barker,  after  musing  for  some  minutes.  "  It 
will  not  do  to  let  a  matter  so  serious  as  this  take  its 
course.  Unhappy  girl !  What  must  she  not  have  suf- 
fered !  I  never  saw  any  one  so  changed  in  as  brief  a 
space  of  time." 

The  longer  she  continued  to  dwell  upon  the  subject, 
the   more   earnest  did  she  become.     Impatiently  she 
waited  the  hour  to  expire  during  which  Helen  was  en- 
gaged with  her  daughter.     More  and  more  clearly  did 
3  " 


86  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

her  mind  begin  to  see  how  she  might  extricate  the 
poor  girl  from  the  unhappy  position  into  which  she  had 
fallen. 

"  I  will  save  her  from  a  fate  so  dreadful,"  Mrs.  Bar 
ker  had  just  said  to  herself,  when  her  ear  caught  the 
sound  of  light  footsteps  along  the  passage. 

"Miss  Lee!"  she  called,  starting  up  and  going  quickly 
to  the  door  of  the  room  in  which  she  was  sitting.  There 
was  no  answer,  but  she  was  in  time  to  catch  a  momen- 
tary view  of  Helen  as  she  was  passing  hurriedly  from 
the  house. 

"Miss  Lee!  Helen?"  she  called  again.  But  her 
voice  was  drowned  in  the  heavy  jar  of  the  closing  door. 
Clasping  her  hands  together,  she  stood  for  a  few  mo- 
ments, all  her  thoughts  in  a  state  of  bewilderment 
Then,  as  she  turned  slowly,  and  went  back  into  the 
apartment  from  which  she  had  come,  she  murmured, 
sadly — 

"  Unhappy  girl !  What  a  future  is  before  her !  Oh . 
that  I  had  but  known  the  greatness  of  her  extremity 
And  I  might  have  known  it.  God  sent  her  to  me  ;  ana 
when  she  came,  shriukingly  and  fearfully,  my  coldness 
and  indifference  repulsed  her.  Will  He  call  me  to  an- 
swer for  the  marring  of  so  fair  and  noble  a  spirit  ?  But 
is  it  yet  too  late  ?  No,  no,  I  will  not  believe  it.  She 
will  be  here  again  several  times.  I  will  secure  her  con- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  8* 

fidence,  learn  all  the  truth  in  relation  to  this  matter  be- 
tween her  and  Mr.  Bullfinch,  and,  if  it  is  as  I  suppose, 
devise  some  means  to  save  her  from  the  false  step  she 
is  about  to  take.  To  accomplish  this,  I  will  do  and 
sacrifice  much.  And,"  she  added,  in  a  confident  tone, 
'  I  must  succeed  in  so  good  a  work." 


CHAPTEE  Yin. 

u  HELEN  LEE  must  be  sick,"  said  Fanny  Milnor  to 
her  uncle,  two  days  after  Helen  had  been  sent  home 
through  the  storm  in  a  carriage. 

"  Why  do  you  think  so  ?"  asksd  Mr.  Bullfinch,  in  a 
quick  tone  of  voice,  as  if  the  suggestion  had  excited  a 
sudden  concern. 

"  This  is  her  regular  day  for  giving  me  a  lesson. 
But  she  did  not  come.  She  has  never  missed  before ; 
I'm  afraid  she  took  cold  from  exposure  on  her  last 
visit." 

The  shadow,  that  concern  had  thrown  upon  the  face 
of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  instantly  gave  place  to  a  smile. 

"  I  hope  not,"  he  said.  "  Some  other  reason  may 
have  prevented  her  from  coming.  She  is,  I  think,  a 
rery  excellent  girl,  Fanny." 

"  She  is,  indeed,  a  good  girl,  uncle,"  returned  Fanny 
— "  I  like  her  very  much." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  89 

"  So  do  I,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  with  considerable 
animation.  "  From  the  first  I  have  observed  her  close- 
ly, and  am  convinced  that  she  is  a  true-hearted,  pure- 
minded,  excellent  young  lady ;  thoroughly  educated 
and  accomplished,  and  fitted  to  adorn  any  station  in 
life.  Don't  you  think  so,  Fanny  ?" 

"  I  have  always  thought  so,  and  often  said  to  myself, 
that  if  I  were  a  young  man,  in  search  of  a  wife,  I 
would,  from  among  all  my  acquaintances,  select  Helen 
Lee." 

"  Well  said !  Well  said  !  You  are  a  sensible  girl." 
And  Mr.  Bullfinch  rubbed  his  hands  together  in  un- 
disguised pleasure.  "  And  you  think  she  is  sick  ?"  he 
added,  after  a  pause,  and  with  a  steady,  meaning  look. 

"I'm  afraid  so,"  replied  Fanny,  thinking  within  her- 
self that  there  was  something  unusual  in  the  manner  of 
her  uncle. 

"  There  is  another  reason,  I  presume,  why  she  is  not 
here,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch. 

"  You  think  so  ?" 

"  Yes.  And  I'll  tell  you  my  thoughts  a  little 
farther,  if  you  wish  to  hear  them." 

There  was  a  look  of  mystery  in  the  countenance  of 
Mr.  Bullfinch. 

"  What  do  you  mean,  uncle  ?" 


90  THE  OLD  MAN'B  BRIDE. 

"I  don't  think  Miss  Lee  intends  giving  you  any 
more  lessons." 

u  Why  ?     She  gave  me  no  such  intimation." 

"  I  believe  it  is  her  intention  to  give  up  the  office  of 
instructor  altogether." 

"Uncle!  You  surprise  me.  When  did  you  hear 
this?" 

"  Yesterday." 

"  And  is  it  so,  really  ? 

"  Yes." 

"  What  is  she  going  to  do  ?" 

"  What  a  great  many  other  lovely  young  creatures, 
*ust  like  her,  have  done  before." 

"  Get  married  ?" 

«  Yes." 

"  Why,  uncle !" 

"  Anything  so  surprising  in  that !" 

"  It  is  a  little  surprising  that  you  should  know  all 
about  it,  while  I  never  once  suspected  that  an  emotion 
so  deep  as  that  of  love  had  passed  over  the  calm 
surface  of  her  virgin  heart," 

"  And  yet  it  is  so." 

"  Who  is  the  happy  man,  uncle  ?  Is  he  worthy  of 
her  «  Will  she  marry  well  ?" 

"  /  think  so." 

The  look  and  tone  that  accompanied  this  would  have 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  91 

betrayed  Mr.  Bullfinch  to  any  one  else  ;  but  Fanny  had 
not  the  remotest  dream  of  the  truth. 

"  I  am  surprised  and  delighted,  Uncle  Adam.  But 
how  very  close  she  has  been  about  it !  Ah  !  I  never 
would  have  suspected  her." 

"  You  think  her  lover  fortunate  ?" 

"  I  do  ;  very  fortunate." 

"  He's  a  happy  man,  certainly.  A  prize  like  this  is 
not  often  secured  in  a  matrimonial  lottery." 

"  Indeed  it  is  not.  But,  why  keep  me  in  suspense, 
uncle?  If  you  know  the  happy  man,  tell  me  his 
name." 

''  She  is  to  be  a  very  near  neighbor  of  ours." 

"  Oh,  uncle !    Don't  teaze  me  in  this  way." 

"  A  very  near  neighbor." 

"  How  near  ?    Next  door  ?" 

"  Nearer  than  that." 

The  face  of  Fanny  Milnor  flushed,  instantly,  fco  a 
deep  crimson.  A  suspicion  of  the  truth  had  dawned 
upon  her  mind. 

"  Yes,  nearer  than  that !"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  in  a 
voice  meant  to  confirm  the  impression  which  he  now 
saw  had  taken  hold  of  her  mind. 

"Speak  plainly,  uncle  Adam."  The  color  had 
already  faded  from  the  cheeks  of  Fanny;  while  the 
whole  expression  of  her  countenance  was  changed. 


92  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Plainly,  then,  Fanny :  Miss  Lee  is  soon  to  become 
mistress  of  this  house.  Have  you  any  objection  ?" 

"  Oh,  uncle !  Can  this  be  possible  ?"  exclaimed  the 
niece,  in  a  distressed  tone.  "  Surely  you  are  trifling 
with  me.  You  marry  Helen  Lee  ?  Impossible  !" 

"  It  will  certainly  take  place,  Fanny.  But  why  all 
this  feeling  on  the  subject  ?  I  can't  understand  it." 

"  She  is  but  a  child,  uncle,  and  cannot  marry  a  man 
of  your  age  except  for  some  low  and  debasing  motive. 
She  can  have  no  love  for  you  !" 

"  And  why  not,  pray  ?"  Mr.  Bullfinch  glanced  at 
himself  in  a  large  pier  mirror.  "  I  am  only  in  the 
prime  of  life  ;  and  my  heart  is  as  warm  as  ever  : — that 
never  grows  old." 

"  Believe  me,  uncle,"  said  Fanny,  speaking  slow  and 
impressively,  "  that  no  young  girl  ever  marries  an  old 
man,  except  from  a  selfish  motive.  As  to  loving  him 
truly,  that  is  impossible,  in  the  very  nature  of  things." 

"  Nonsense  !  Nonsense,  child  !"  replied  Mr.  Bull- 
finch, impatiently.  "  Mere  lying  romance.  These  mar- 
riages are  always  the  happiest.  I've  seen  a  good  many 
of  them  in  my  time,  and  never  saw  one  that  did  uot 
turn  out  well." 

"  I  had  a  better  opinion  of  Helen  than  this,"  said 
Fanny,  speaking  partly  to  herself.  "  She  was  poor ; 
but  I  believed  her  virtuous." 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.  93 

"  Virtuous  !"  exclaimed  Mr.  Bullfinch,  with  indigna- 
tion— "  How  dare  you  question  her  angelic  purity  ?" 

"  If,"  replied  Fanny,  speaking  very  firmly — "  there 
were  true  maiden  purity  in  her  heart,  she  would  never 
consent  to  such  a  union." 

"  Silence,  Miss !"  exclaimed  Mr.  Bullfinch,  passion- 
ately. "  Silence,  I  say !  How  dare  you  speak  thus, 
and  to  my  face,  of  the  woman  who  is  soon  to  become 
my  wife  ?" 

And  the  old  man,  overcome  with  excitement,  stalked 
around  the  room,  throwing  his  arm  about  impotently. 

"  You  will  not  marry  this  girl,  Uncle  Adam,"  said 
Fanny,  in  a  pleading,  affectionate  voice,  taking  hold  of4 
the  old  man's  arm  in  a  fond  manner,  after  his  anger 
had  in  a  measure  subsided. 

"  And  why  will  I  not,  pray  ?  Havn't  I  told  you  that 
it  is  all  settled  2" 

"  Oh  no,  no,  uncle  !     I  will  not  believe  it." 

"  You  must  believe  it,"  replied  the  old  man,  posi- 
tively ;  "  for  as  sure  as  you  are  living,  it  will  take 
place." 

Fanny  withdrew  her  grasp  from  his  arm,  and  stepped 
back  as  if  she  had  been  repulsed  by  a  strong  hand. 

"  You  are  fully  in  earnest  in  this  ?"  said  she. 

"  I  was  never  in  my  life  more  in  earnest  about  any 
thing,"  was  the  firm  reply. 


94  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

"  Enough.  When  she  enters  this  house  as  your  wife, 
I  leave  it  forever.  I  could  not  live  beneath  the  same 
roof  with  a  creature  who  had  so  forgotten  all  that  be* 
longed  to  her  as  a  woman." 

"  You  are  beside  yourself,  Fanny.  You  don't  kno\» 
fhat  you  are  talking  about,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  in  a 
perplexed  tone  of  voice.  He  was  in  no  way  prepared 
for  an  alternative  like  this.  "  Am  I  not  free  to  do  as  I 
list  ?  And  is  not  Helen  free  to  make  her  choice  in  life, 
without  becoming  the  subject  of  false  judgment  from 
her  own  sex  ?  How  dare  you  question  the  purity  of 
her  motives !  An  angel  is  not  purer.  As  to  leaving 
my  house,  Fanny,  that  is  a  threat  I  am  sorry  to  hear 
you  make.  You  have  been  to  me  as  a  very  dear  child, 
and  I  would  still  cherish  you  as  such.  No  one  can 
take  your  place  in  my  heart.  But,  if  you  turn  from 
me,  if  you  go  out  from  beneath  the  roof  that  has  so 
long"  sheltered  you,  and  would  shelter  you  still,  the  loss, 
the  evil  be  on  your  own  head.  I  am  not  to  be  turned 
from  a  right  purpose  by  any  threat  like  this — the  hasty 
threat  of  a  capricious  girl." 

"  I  have  said  it,  uncle,  and  I  will  abide  by  it,"  was 
the  calm,  resolute  answer.  "  If  I  remain,  she  must  be 
my  companion  and  equal.  But,  I  hold  her  to  be  un- 
worthy of  that  relation." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  95 

"  She  is  quite  as  good  as  you  are,  said  Mr,  Bullfinch^ 
angrily. 

"  So  I  would  have  said  an  nour  since,  but  I  did  not 
know  her  then.  A  veil  has  fallen  from  before  my  eyes, 
and  now  she  stands  revealed  in  her  true  character." 

"  What  folly  for  you  to  talk  in  this  way  1  You 
know  her  to  be  pure  and  good,  and  in  every  way  worthy 
your  companionship." 

"  I  thought  her  so  until  now.  But,  henceforth,  I  can. 
only  regard  her  as  unworthy — as  having  been  false  to 
her  maiden  instincts — as  being  influenced  in  an  act, 
which  should  be  the  highest,  purest  and  holiest  in  wo 
man's  life,  by  the  most  sordid  and  mercenary  motives. 
She  will  not  marry  you  because  she  loves  you,  but  be- 
cause you  are  rich.  Augh  !  I  shudder  at  the  thought. 
How  can  you  respect  her  ?  And  you  would  place  her 
Bide  by  side  with  me,  as  a  companion  and  an  equal  I 
But  I  cannot  permit  it,  uncle.  I  will  not  so  degrade 
myself." 

"You  jump  to  conclusions.  You  judge  harshly, 
Fanny,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  speaking  with  much  feeling. 
"Why  not  judge  a  sister  maiden  with  more  charity  I 
In  supposing  reasons  for  her  conduct,  why  not  suppose 
Buch  as  are  good  ?" 

"  Because  I  cannot,"  was  replied.    "  Some  acts  are 


06  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

never  to  be  misjudged.  They  always  spring  from 
wrong  motives ;  this  is  one  of  them." 

"  You  try  me  beyond  endurance,  by  this  perverse- 
ness  !"  exclaimed  the  old  man  again,  losing  command 
of  himself.  "  Your  language  I  regard  as  an  insult  to 
myself,  and  an  outrage  upon  one  about  to  hold  to  me 
the  closest  relation  in  life.  I  will  hear  no  more  of  it. 
What  I  have  announced  will  soon  take  place.  By  that 
time  I  trust  you  will  have  become  wiser  and  more  dis- 
creet. If  not,  the  consequences  must  rest  on  your  own 
head.  Things  have  come  to  a  pretty  pass,  when  a  strip 
of  a  girl  like  you  attempts  to  lecture  me  after  this  fash- 
ion, and  to  threaten  what  she  will  do,  if  my  conduct 
doesn't  just  please  her  fancy  !  A  nice  state  of  things, 
indeed !  A  nice  state  of  things — let  me  hear  no  more 
of  it!" 

Fanny  bowed,  silently,  her  head  upon  ner  oosom, 
and  stood,  without  speaking,  for  a  few  moments.  Then 
she  left  the  room  and  sought  her  own  chamber,  where, 
sinking  into  a  chair,  she  burst  into  a  wild  passion  of 
tears,  and  wept  bitterly  for  a  long  time. 

The  bark  Mr.  Bullfinch  had  launched  on  the  sea  of 
love,  was  not  destined  to  glide  so  smoothly  along  the 
rippling  surface  as  he  had  hoped.  Already  an  adverse 
wind  had  rudely  fluttered  the  sails,  while  a  cloud,  threat- 
ening many  future  storms,  was  lowering  over  the  sky. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  97 

Opposition  on  the  part  of  Fanny,  he  had  not  once  an- 
ticipatcd.  lie  knew  that  she  was  attached  to  Helen, 
and  had,  besides,  a  respect  tor  her  amounting  to  defer- 
ence. He  had  not  in  the  least  doubted,  that  when  she 
came  to  know  that  Helen  was  to  be  an  inmate  of  their 
Lome,  holding  the  high  relation  of  his  wife,  that  she 
would  receive  the  announcement  with  unalloyed  plea- 
sure, as  has  been  seen ;  but,  he  was  destined  to  be  bit- 
terly disappointed.  Several  things  that  Helen  said 
smarted  his  feelings,  while  others  excited  no  very  piea- 
sant  thoughts.  That  his  marriage  with  a  girl,  whose 
years  numbered  scarcely  a  third  of  his  own,  had  pro- 
•  duced  so  marked  a  feeling  of  reprobation  on  one  mind, 
did  not  flatter  him  much  as  to  the  general  impression 
the  act  would  produce.  Yet,  for  all  this,  he  did  not 
once  think  of  looking  back.  The  good  he  sought  was, 
in  his  estimation,  too  great  to  be  bartered  for  such 
lighter  drawbacks  as  these. 


CHAPTER  IX 

OPPOSITION  from  those  who  deemed  the  act  almost 
•acnlegious,  availed  not.  Helen  had  betrothed  herself 
and,  true  to  her  extorted  vow,  was  not  to  be  held  back 
from  the  consummation  thereof.  In  love  to  her  parents, 
she  was  about  to  offer  herself  up  in  an  unholy  sacrifice. 
As  Mr.  Bullfinch  had  said,  he  called  to  see  her  at  her 
father's  house,  on  the  evening  that  followed  the  day  of 
her  promise  to  marry  him.  To  Mr.  Lee  he  did  not 
hesitate  to  declare  the  purpose  of  his  visit.  He  met 
with  a  much  more  decided  opposition  in  that  quarter 
than  he  had  expected.  Mr.  Lee  at  once  avowed  his 
utter  repugnance  to  such  an  unnatural  and  impure 
union ;  and  solemnly  urged  Mr.  Bullfinch  to  reconsider 
the  matter,  and  with'  a  noble  magnanimity,  release  his 
unhappy  daughter  from  her  engagement. 

"  Does  she  wish  to  be  released  ?"  was  the  reply  of 
Mr.  Bullfinch  to  this'.  They  were  alone  when  the  ques- 
tion was  asked. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  99 

"  Oh,  sir !"  returned  Mr.  Lee,  eagerly,  "  you  need 
only  look  at  her  changed  countenance  for  an  answer. 
Believe  me,  sir,  that  she  is  laboring  under  some  mental 
hallucination.  Never,  never,  were  her  mind  perfectly 
clear,  and  evenly  balanced,  would  she  consent  to  the 
formation  of  so  unnatural  a  union.  Never  would  she 
take  upon  herself  holy  vows  that  can  never  be  kept." 

"  Never  kept !  What  am  I  to  understand  by  this, 
Mr.  Lee  ?"  said  Mr.  Bull6uch. 

"  In  the  marriage  service,"  replied  Mr.  Lee,  "  a  wo- 
man promises  to  love  and  honor  her  husband." 

"  Well,  sir,  well  ?"  Mr.  Bullfinch  spoke  with  a  slight 
show  of  impatience. 

"  Horor  and  love  must  be  spontaneous." 

"Well?" 

"  You  cannot  extort  them." 

"  No  ;  certainly  not — certainly  not." 

"Are  you  willing  to  marry  a  woman,  who,  in  the 
Very  nature  of  things,  can  neither  Icve  nor  honor  her 
husband  2" 

"  I  need  not  answer  the  question,"  replied  Mr.  Bull- 
finch. "  No  man  would  be  so  great  a  simpleton." 

"  Believe  me,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Lee,  solemnly,  "  that,  if 
you  commit  the  fatal  error  of  making  this  young  girl 
your  wife,  you  will  be  in  the  unhappy  position  I  have 
supposed." 


100  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

Mr.  Bullfinch  smiled  with  a  self-satisfied  air,  as  he 
answered — 

"  You  cannot  frightt-n  me  from  my  purpose,  Mr.  Lee. 
Suggestions  like  these  do  not  in  the  least  alarm  me.  I 
believe  I  know  Helen  too  well  to  doubt  her  truly  wife- 
like  qualities.  I  am  extremely  sorry  that  your  hearty 
approval  is  not  on  our  side.  It  should  be  ;  for  oppo- 
sition will  only  mar  your  daughter's  happiness.  Of  one 
thing  you  may  be  very  certain : — I  will  love  and  care 
for  her  with  a  tenderness  and  devotion  never  exceeded. 
She  will  be  to  me  as  the  apple  of  an  eye.  My  every 
thought  will  turn  towards  her.  My  very  life  will  be  de- 
voted to  her  pleasure.  I  have  wealth — and  that  will 
be  at  her  command.  Her  love  for  her  parents  exceeds 
all  selfish  considerations.  At  once  she  will  have  it  in 
her  power  to  gratify  this  love ;  and  in  seeking  that 
gratification,  she  will  ever  have  a  prompter  in  me. 
Surrounded  by  every  external  good,  how  can  she  fail  to 
be  happy  ?  And  how  can  she  fail  to  love  the  hand 
that  joyfully  lays  all  these  blessings  at  her  feet  ?  Sh 
cannot,  Mr.  Lee,  she  cannot" 

"  Do  not  deceive  yourself,  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  answered 
Mr.  Lee ;  "  for  deception  in  a  matter  like  this  proves 
utterly  disastrous.  It  takes  more  than  wealth  to  buy 
the  love  of  a  true  woman ;  and  you  will  find  it  so  in 
the  end.  Heart-affinities  are  governed  by  laws  over 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  10] 

which  we  have  liltle  control.  Love-fires,  that  kindle 
not,  though  we  blow  with  never  so  much  ardor,  often 
shout  up  into  a  broad,  bright,  never-dying  flame,  at  a 
single  breath." 

Still  the  old  man  wavered  not. 

"  Do  you  know,"  said  Mr.  Lee,  as  a  new  suggestion 
was  flung  into  his  mind — he  spoke  without  due  con- 
sideration— ''  that,  in  all  marriages  of  youthful  maidens 
with  men  far  advanced  in  years,  the  young  wife  is  sub- 
ject to  severe  temptations  ?" 

"  From  what  source  ?"  asked  Mr.  Bullfinch,  in  a 
quick  voice. 

"  A  maiden's  affections  are  not  under  her  control." 
As  Mr.  Lee  commenced  speaking,  his  wife,  who  had 
been  in  conference  with  her  daughter,  came  into  the 
room  where  they  were  sitting.  "  Few  reach  the  age  of 
Helen  without  a  lover,  young  in  years,  like  themselves. 
If  the  heart-impression  be  not  too  deeply  made,  a  first 
lover  may  give  place  to  a  second;  but  the  second,  like 
the  first,  must  be  in  the  freshness  and  beauty  of  early 
manhood.  An  old  man  cannot  take  the  place  of  either 
cf  these ;  because,  in  him,  there  can  be  no  reciprocity. 
The  fires  of  love  are  burning  in  a  clear,  bright  flame  ou 
the  altar  of  one  heart,  while  upon  the  other,  Me  only 
the  black  and  smoking  remnants  of  an  offered  sacrifice. 
What,  then,  is  the  natural  consequence  of  a  uniou 


102  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

between  the  old  and  the  young  ?  Need  I  say  ?  Does 
not  your  own  mind  instantly  see  the  danger  ?  An  old 
husband  and  a  young  lover  !" 

"  Has  your  daughter  a  young  lover  ?"  asked  Mr 
Bullfinch,  with  more  calmness  than  he  felt.  These  sug- 
gestions of  Mr.  Lee  disturbed  him  far  more  than  ha 
choose  to  let  be  seen. 

"  Few  reach  her  age  without  a  lover,  as  I  have  just 
remarked,"  was  the  evasive  reply. 

"But  you  do  not  answer  iny  question,''  said  Mr. 
Bullfinch. 

"  If  my  observation  be  correct,  her  neart  is  not  alto- 
gether free." 

"  Mr.  Lee !"  exclaimed  the  mother  of  Helen.  "  How 
can  you  speak  so  ?  No  one  has  visited  her  but  young 
Harry  Wellford,  if  the  few  calls  he  has  made  can  be 
called  visits.  And  he's  nobody.  I  was  so  vexed  at 
his  assurance,  last  night,  in  asking  for  her,  that  I  shut 
the  door  in  his  face  !" 

"  Henry  Wellford  ?"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  musingly, 
and  he  repeated  the  name  over  two  or  three  times  to 
himself.     "Oh,  ah!'"  he   remarked,  at  length,  "tha 
young  man  who  lives  with  Vincent." 
."  The  same,"  replied  Mr.  Lee. 

"He's  nobody,"  replied  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  in  a  con- 
temptuous manner.  And  yet  Mr.  Lee  had  planted 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  103 

> 

a  seed  of  jealousy  in  the  old  man's  heart.  How  long 
it  remained  there  without  germinating,  our  story  in  its 
progress  will  show. 

"You  may  well  say  that,"  spoke  up  Mi's.  Lee, 
warmly  ;  "  I  wonder  my  husband  could  refer  to  him  at 
all.  A  mother,  Mr.  Bullfinch,  ought  to  know  some- 
thing as  to  the  state  of  her  daughter's  affections  ;  and 
if  my  observation  is  worth  anything  at  all,  you  may 
rest  satisfied  that  Helen  has  never  had  a  lover.  In 
taking  her  for  a  wife,  you  may  be  certain  of  getting  an 
undivided  heart." 

Mr.  Lee  said  no  more.  He  saw  that  opposition 
would  avail  not ;  and  was  already  aware  that  he  had 
said  too  much,  in  his  intimation  that  his  daughter  had 
a  lover.  This  intimation  might  be,  he  now  perceived, 
the  germ  of  trouble  in  the  future.  It  was  an  evil  seed, 
and  might  produce  a  harvest  of  misery.  The  thought 
oppressed  and  silenced  him. 

"  We  had  better  be  friends  in  this  matter,"  said  Mr. 
Bullfinch,  speaking  with  exceeding  blandness.  "  Friends 
not  in  a  mere  repression  of  antagonisms,  but  in 
hearty  good  will.  I  wish  to  be  so.  In  regard  to  my 
marriage  with  your  daughter,  that  is  a  matter  settled 
beyond  a  question.  If  you  throw  impediments  in  the 
way,  it  will  avail  nothing,  and  only  produce  unhappi- 
ness.  For  your  daughter's  sake,  then,  give  your  ful] 


104  THK  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

aud  free  consent  to  this  union.  I  will  stand  responsible 
for  her  happiness." 

Mr.  Lee  said  nothing,  but  sat  with  his  feeble  body 
crouched  in  his  chair,  his  head  bent  forward,  and  hia 
eyes  upon  the  floor.  Opposition  he  felt  to  be  hope- 
less, and  he  could  not  speak  consenting  words.  Oh ! 
how  weak  and  hopeless  he  felt !  He  had  been  stricken 
down  by  poverty  and  disease,  and  could  not  rise  again. 
How  he  panted,  in  spirit,  for  the  old  ability — for  the 
vigor  of  eariy  manhood,  when  a  strong  will  had  ready 
hands  to  do  its  bidding.  Had  these  been  with  him, 
how  indignantly  would  he  have  rebuked  the  old  sen- 
sualist, and  spurned  him  from  under  his  roof. 

The  father  was  silent,  but  the  weak  mother  consented 
to  the  sacrifice  of  her  child,  and  consented  with  more 
of  pleasure  than  pain ;  for,  in  her  imagination  were 
bright  pictures  of  the  future,  a  future  for  herself  as  well 
as  her  daughter.  By  Helen's  elevation,  she  would  rise, 
and  far  above  the  present  condition  of  hopeless  strife 
with  poverty.  The  mere  worldly  woman  saw,  in  what 
the  world  had  to  offer,  the  greatest  good.  Ah  !  how 
often,  during  some  twenty-five  years  of  their  married 
life,  had  the  husband  of  this  woman  sighed,  as  he 
looked  into  her  mind  for  higher,  better,  and  purei 
instincts,  and  found  them  not !  How  sad  he  sometime* 
felt,  in  his  little  world  at  home !  She,  whom  he  had 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  105 

chosen  as  a  life-companion,  with  whom  he  had  hoped 
to  form  a  true  interior  marriage  union,  had  no  apprecia- 
tion of  spiritual  good — saw  no  desirableness  in  the 
higher  truths  that  were  to  him  so  full  of  beauty.  In 
what  he  loved,  she  saw  nothing  lovely ;  and,  therefore, 
there  was  not  with  them  that  interior  conjunction  of 
thought  and  affection  which  constitutes  a  true  mar- 
riage. He  was  in  the  love  of  growing  wise — wise  in 
the  true  sense,  for  he  sought  that  wisdom  which  the 
world  calls  foolishness — but  she  did  not  love  his 
wisdom ;  and,  therefore,  she  was  only  adjoined  to  him, 
as  it  were,  externally.  Thus  had  they  passed  through 
life,  and  the  world  regarded  them  as  most  happily 
united,  as  presenting  an  instance  of  true  conjugal  unity 
How  many  are  like  them !  But  the  worldly-minded 
ness  is  not  always  on  the  woman's  side. 


CHAPTER  X. 

AN  eaily  marriage  was  urged  by  Mr.  Bullfinch. 
Helen,  after  being  repeatedly  asked  to  fix  the  time 
when  it  should  take  place,  finally  named  a  day  six 
months  in  advance.  Against  so  long  a  postponement, 
the  ardent  lover  strongly  remonstrated ;  but  Helen 
remained  immovable.  She  wished  to  put  off  the 
dreaded  time  as  long  as  possible,  and  she  had  fixed  tha 
utmost  limit.  Beyond  that  she  knew  it  would  be  use- 
less to  go.  Rapidly  enough  for  her  approached  the 
day.  Ah1  the  lessons  she  was  engaged  in  giving  were 
completed  up  to  the  termination  of  the  respective  quar- 
ters, except  those  of  Fanny  Milnor.  The  reason  for 
omitting  these  is  already  known  to  the  reader.  Twa 
or  three  times  Mrs.  Barker  approached  her  on  the  sub 
ject ;  but  Helen  invariably  declined  to  hold  any  conver 
satiou  thereon  whatever.  Her  appearance  had  under- 
gone considerable  change.  Every  one  remarked  this. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  107 

And  yet,  all  could  not  see,  beneath  her  partially  dis- 
guised exterior,  the  unmistakable  signs  of  unhappiness. 
Her  face  did  not  recover  the  warm  hue  that  once  gave 
it  a  softened,  almost  transparent  beauty.  It  was  uni- 
formly pale.  But  her  eyes  were  larger  and  brighter 
from  this  very  paleness.  Her  step  was  firmer,  and  her 
bearing  prouder  than  before — almost  haughty  at  times ; 
and  at  times,  defiant.  Having  consented  to  take  a  falsa 
position  in  the  world,  she  was  steadily  repressing  all  the 
gentler  qualities  of  her  nature,  and  putting  on,  as  a 
coat  of  mail,  a  composed  exterior.  Day  by  day  she 
laid  her  hand  firmly  upon  her  heart,  to  repress  its  natu- 
ral emotions  ;  and  day  by  day  she  gained  some  new 
power  over  herself — some  new  ability  to  seem  what  she 
was  not.  As  much  to  acquire  this  power,  as  from  an 
instinctive  repugnance  to  the  contemplated  union,  had 
Helen  deferred  her  marriage  as  long  as  possible. 

Thus  false  to  herself,  and  false  to  the  world,  the  un 
happy  maiden  prepared  herself  for  the  coming  sacrifice, 
thinking  often  of  the  fate  of  Jeptha's  daughter,  as  one 
full  of  pleasantness  compared  with  her  own.  No  one 
comprehended  her  state  of  mind — no  one  saw  through 
the  false  exterior  she  had  assumed,  but  her  father. 
His  eyes  had  a  deeper  penetration — the  power  of 
spiritual  discernment.  The  heart  she  hid  from  others 
lay  all  open  to  him,  and  he  saw,  half  palsied  and 


108  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

crushed  as  it  lay  in  her  bosom,  that  its  low,  tremulous 
throb  was  born  of  exquisite  pain.  How  many  times 
did  he  seek  a  conference  with  her  on  the  subject  of  her 
approaching  marriage,  in  the  hope  of  inducing  her,  a* 
all  hazards,  to  break  the  cords  by  which  she  was 
oound — the  cords  of  an  extorted  promise — ere  to 
etruggle  against  their  sharp  bondage  were  utterly  vain  ! 
But  on  this  subject  she  would  hold  no  communion 
with  any  one.  Money,  freely  supplied  by  Mr.  Bull- 
finch, even  though  the  hand  filled  with  gold  were 
pushed  back  often  and  again,  was  bringing  every  exter- 
nal comfort  to  their  household ;  and  the  regular  attend- 
ance of  one  of  the  most  skilful  physicians  in  the  city, 
sent  by  the  same  interested  friend,  was  mitigating  the 
violence  of  a  disease  under  which  Mr.  Lee  was  fast 
wasting  away  ;  these  were  the  accumulating  obliga- 
tions that,  to  Helen,  gave  to  her  promise  of  marriage  a 
still  more  binding  force.  The  question  of  escape  from 
the  hopeless  future  was  no  longer  debated  in  her  mind ; 
and  she  would  not  suffer  it  to  be  opened. 

"God  will  give  me  strength  equal  to  my  day. 
Thus  she  would  seek  to  fortify  herself,  when  thoughts 
of  the  coming  self-devotion  pressed  upon  her  too 
heavily,  and  imagination  drew  too  vivid  pictures  of  the 
approaching  reality.  Ah  I  how  can  we  hope  for 
•treugth  fruin  above,  when  we  enter  upon  trials  not 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  109 

N  I 

sanctioned  by  Heaven  ?  If  we  take  the  current  of 
Providence,  that  will  never  bear  us  out  upon  a  sea 
where  we  needs  must  perish  amid  whirlpools  of  pas- 
sion, or  on  the  breakers  of  crime  :  but,  if  we  choose  a 
wrong  course,  no  matter  how  specious  may  be  the  false 
persuasion  under  which  we  act,  there  is  for  us  no  safety. 
We  look,  in  sure  confidence,  to  God  for  strength. 

The  time  wore  on.  The  fond  old  lover  made  almost 
daily  visits  to  the  house  of  his  affianced  bride,  where  he 
was  received  by  Mrs.  Lee  ever  with  a  smiling  and 
wordy  welcome ;  by  Helen,  with  a  calm,  dignified,  al- 
most repulsive  politeness  ;  and  by  Air.  Lee  with  a  sub- 
dued toleration,  that,  while  it  seemed  not  to  be  noticed 
by  Mr.  Bullfinch,  was  treasured  up  never  to  be  forgot- 
ten nor  forgiven. 

There  was  one  thing  that  fretted  toe  dd  man  not  a 
little.  Often  and  often  as  he  had  tried  to  peisuade 
Helen  to  appear  with  him  abroad,  he  had  never  been 
able  to  induce  her  to  go  upon  the  street  with  him,  or  to 
appear  in  any  public  place,  since  she  had  consented  to 
become  his  wife.  Earnest  persuasion,  and  the  exhibi- 
tion of  a  half  offended  manner,  alike  failed  to  influence 
her. 

"This  is  a.i  wrong,  said  her  motner,  more  than 
once  after  Mr.  Bullfinch  had  retired.  "  You  are  soon 


110  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

to  become  his  wife.  Do  you  never  intend  to  go  out 
with  him?" 

"  When  I  am  his  wife,  mother,"  she  usually  rep.ied, 
"  I  will  try,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  to  do  a  wife's 
duty.  Now,  as  a  maiden,  I  wish  to  reserve  a  maiden's 
privilege." 

It  mattered  not  now  warmly  Mi's.  Lee  opposed  this 
state  of  teeling  in  her  daughter,  it  was  of  no  avail ; 
little  beyond  the  reply  just  given  was  ever  urged  in  self- 
iustification. 

And  so  the  time  wore  on,  untu  tne  aay  of  sacrifice 
was  at  hand. 

The  opposition  shown  by  Fanny  "Mil nor  to  this 
unnatural  union,  did  not  subside  like  a  sudden  out- 
burst of  passion.  She  thought  and  felt  correctly  in 
the  beginning,  from  her  true  woman's  instinct.  She 
knew  that  no  young  girl  could  love  an  old  man,  like 
her  uncle,  as  a  wife  should  love  her  husband ;  and  it 
was,  therefore,  the  instant  conclusion  of  her  mind,  that 
Helen  Lee,  in  consenting  to  such  a  relation,  must  be 

nfluenced   by  an   unworthy  motive.     All   respect  for 

• 
Hdien  died  instantly  in  her  bosom,  and  in  its  place 

was  kindled  a  strong  aversion,  that  daily  gained 
strength.  Several  times  her  uncle  had  sought  to 
approach  her  on  the  subject  of  his  marriage,  but  she 
would  hold  no  intercourse  with  him  on  that  theme. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  Ill 

As  for  herself,  she  had  marked  out  the  course  she 
would  pursue — marked  it  out  in  the  beginning.  When 
Helen  entered  the  home  of  her  uncle,  as  its  future 
mistress,  she  would  go  out  therefrom  to  return  no 
more.  Mr.  Bullfinch  did  not  believe  that  she  would 
carry  out  her  declaration.  He  regarded  it  as  the  hasty 
threat  of  a  young  girl,  to  be  receded  from  almost  as 
soon  as  uttered.  But  he  was  in  error  here. 

Not  wholly  dependent  on  her  uncle  was  Fanny. 
She  had  a  small  income,  not  beyond  a  few  hundred 
dollars,  secured  to  her  from  the  shattered  estate  of  her 
father,  who  had  died  when  she  was  a  child.  Her 
uncle  not  being  her  legal  guardian,  this  money  had 
been  regularly  paid  into  her  hands,  since  she  had 
became  old  enough  to  receive  it,  and  was  entirely  at 
her  disposal.  This  resource  made  the  way  before  her 
much  clearer,  as  she  thought  upon  the  future.  It  did 
not,  however,  in  the  least  influence  her  decision.  Such 
was  the  disgust  of  her  soul  at  Ihe  marriage  about  to 
take  place,  that  she  would  have  gone  out  from  her 
uncle's  roof,  though  she  knew  not  where  to  lay  her 
head. 

And  what  of  Henry  Wellford  ?  Since  the  time  he 
saw  Helen  in  the  street,  on  the  day  of  his  good 
fortune,  his  eyes  had  not  rested  upon  her.  Twice, 
after  that  evening,  had  ho  called  at  her  father's  house, 


112  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

to  be,  each  time,  repulsed  by  Mrs.  Lee,  and,  on  the  last 
occasion,  with  the  cutting  words — 

"  You  needn't  come  here  any  more.  Helen  doesn't 
want  to  see  you." 

How  dark,  and  cold,  and  cheerless,  seemed  all  the 
world  to  him,  as,  after  this  harsh  repulse,  he  went  wan- 
dering about  the  streets  aimlessly,  and  conscious  only 
of  a  heavy  weight  upon  his  bosom.  Late  at  night  he 
sought  his  pillow,  and,  in  half-waking  dreams,  passed 
the  hours,  till  morning  came  with  a  sense  of  relief.  No 
further  effort  was  made  by  him  to  see  Helen  at  the 
residence  of  her  father ;  but  many  an  hour  lingered 
he  in  and  around  the  neighborhood,  after  night  had 
closed  in  ;  but  he  lingered  in  vain.  That  form,  fairer 
to  him  than  the  world's  highest  type  of  beauty, 
blessed  not  his  longing  vision.  Never  was  he  upon 
the  street,  by  day  or  by  night,  that  his  eyes  searched 
not,  constantly,  for  Heleu.  But,  neither  afar  off  nor 
nigh  at  hand  did  she  appear,  and  his  heart  grew  sick 
in  its  deferred  expectations.  And  so  the  time  passed 
with  him.  Yet,  a  whisper  of  what  was  to  take  place 
—of  the  destiny  of  his  soul's  bride — came  not  to 
his  ears. 


CHAPTER    XL 

THE  six  months  probation  is  over,  and,  in  that  time, 
Helen  Lee  has  gained  a  power  over  her  feelings  far 
greater  than  she  had  ever  hoped  to  achieve.  Her  face 
is  a  little  parler  than  it  was,  but  shows  no  signs  of 
the  weakness  and  weariness  that  once  rested  thero 
almost  continually.  Her  eyes  do  not  droop  meekly 
and  maidenly,  as  of  old,  but  are  larger  and  steadier  in 
their  gaze.  At  times  they  are  fixed  and  musing  ;  and 
always  they  seem  as  if  looking  away  from  the  present, 
seeking  to  penetrate  the  future,  or  resting  on  the  past. 
Beautiful  she  is  to  look  upon  ;  beautiful  with  what 
some  would  call  a  proud,  high-born  beauty.  She  never 
speaks  except  with  a  smile.  Ah !  it  is  not  the  smile 
of  old.  She  has  taught  her  lips  that  smile,  and  they 
have  learned  their  lesson  well ;  though,  far  from  perfectly. 

Mr.  Bullfinch  is  proud  and  happy.  He  calls  to  see 
her  daily,  and  she  receives  him  with  a  pleasant,  yet 
subdued  manner,  and  speaks  to  him  with  the  smile  she 
has  taught  her  lips.  He  believes  that  it  but  reflects 


J14  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

her  feelings.  He  talks  of  the  future — of  the  happy 
day  now  at  hand,  and  she  compels  herself  to  join  in 
with  him,  and  to  make  such  responses  as  she  thinks 
he  will  best  like  to  hear.  She  is  still  schooling  herself 
— still  conning  her  lesson — still  rehearsing  for  the  great 
appearance,  when  she  is  to  come  before  the  world  as 
the  wife  of  Adam  Bullfinch.  When  her  heart  flutters, 
she  lays  her  hand  upon  her -bosom,  and  by  an  external 
and  an  internal  pressure  at  the  same  time,  subdues  it 
into  quietude.  Great  power  over  herself  has  she 
gained  ;  yet,  oh  !  by  what  an  intense  struggle — and  of 
what  long  continuance ! 

According  to  arrangement,  a  few  frienos  are  to  be  at 
the  residence  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  to  receive  him  and  his 
bride.  The  marriage  is  to  take  place  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Lee,  and  then  all  are  to  go  in  company  to  their 
future  home.  Instead  of  two  households,  there  is  to  be, 
from  this  time,  but  one.  Helen  had  stipulated  from, 
the  first,  that  her  home  is  to  be  that  of  her  parents ; 
and  she  will  not  go  to  the  dwelling  of  her  husband, 
even  on  her  bridal  night,  except  they  go  with  her. 

In  view  of  the  almost  immediate  consummation  of  a 
union,  against  which  his  feelings  still  revolt,  Mr.  Lee, 
who  is  very  weak,  from  bodily  illness,  finds  himself  in 
Buch  a  state  of  nervous  agitation,  that  he  can  scarcely 
trust  his  voice  in  words. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  115 

"  My  dear,  dear  child !"  he  sighs  often  to  himself 
"  to  think  it  should  come  to  this  !  Oh  !  if  I  had  but 
health  and  strength !" 

He  wanders  about  uneasily,  or  sits  for  many  minutes 
at  a  time,  motionless,  his  eyes  gazing  vacantly. 

"  Poor  child  !"  he  murmurs—"  Poor  child !"  Yet 
not  so  audibly  as  to  be  heard  either  by  his  wife  or 
Helen.  He  has  no  sympathy  from  the  one,  and  he 
tries  to  be  cheerful  with  the  other. 

And  all  this  while  the  minutes  are  gliding  away,  and 
the  appointed  hour  approaches. 

Dressed  for  the  bridal,  Helen  asks  to  be  left  alone  for 
the  half  hour  that  is  to  elapse,  ere  she  stands  at  the 
altar.  How  that  brief  season  is  spent  we  know  not. 
It  is  past,  and  she  is  leaving,  for  the  last  time,  her 
chamber.  There  are  traces  of  tears  on  her  cheeks — her 
eyes  are  humid  and  red — but  her  lips  are  firm,  though 
her  cheeks  are  white ;  her  step  is  steady,  and  her  bear- 
ing one  of  entire  self-possession. 

Below  she  is  met  and  received  by  the  happy  bride- 
groom, looking  younger  by  ten  years  or  more.  He  is 
dressed  with  great  care,  and  more  in  the  fashion  of  a 
man  of  twenty-five,  than  of  one  past  three  score. 
What  a  light  comes  into  his  seamed  and  age-marked 
face,  as  he  grasps  the  hand  she  yields  passively  1 


116  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

How  pleased  the  mother  looks !  Dim-visioned, 
through  selfish  worldly-mindedness,  she  sees  only  a 
sunny  future  for  herself  and  child.  They  are  no  longer 
to  be  crushed  beneath  the  iron  heel  of  poverty — no 
longer  to  sit  under  the  shadow  of  a  boding  cloud.  She 
is  ready  to  give  her  daughter  away,  untroubled  by 
fears  for  the  future.  It  is  not  so  with  Mr.  Lee.  His 
eyes  are  moist  with  tears.  He  does  not  speak  to 
Helen,  for  he  knows  that  a  sob  would  choke  the  words, 
if  he  attempted  an  utterance.  He  could  not  feel  sadder 
if  he  were  gazing  upon  her  beautiful  face,  cold  as  marble, 
and  eternally  calm  in  the  repose  of  mortality. 

And  with  no  one  to  lift  a  voice  and  forbid  the  offer- 
ing up  of  a  young  heart,  the  sacrifice  is  made.  Mute 
are  the  bride's  responses,  yet  none  the  less  binding. 
How  passionless  her  face,  as  she  receives  the  kissing 
Bakitations  of  husband  and  friends.  She  smiles — it  is 
her  lesson — but  how  cold  the  rays  of  light  that  faintly 
quiver  on  her  beautiful  countenance !  Mr.  Bullfinch 
accepts  them  as  from  the  heart ;  the  mother  persuades 
herself  that  her  daughter  is  pleased,  if  not  as  happy  as 
she  will  be ;  but  the  agonized  father  is  looking  down 
into  the  desolate,  hopeless  bosom  of  his  wretched  child, 
searching  there,  but  vainly,  for  a  single  green  spot  made 
fresh  by  a  ray  of  sunshine. 


CHAPTER  XH. 

SINCE  the  exciting  interview  between  Adam  Bull 
finch  and  his  niece,  occasioned  by  his  avowal  of  his 
purpose  to  marry  Helen  Lee,  no  word  on  the  subject 
had  passed  between  them,  further  than  the  simple  an- 
nouncement of  the  former  as  to  the  time  when  the 
marriage  would  take  place,  and  his  desire  to  have  cer 
tain  preparations  made  for  the  bride's  reception. 

It  by  no  means  escaped  the  uncle's  observation,  that 
Fanny  was  altogether  changed  from  her  former  self. 
She  was  as  kind  in  manner  to  him  as  before,  and  as 
much  devoted  to  his  wants  and  comfort ;  but  her  cheer- 
fulness was  gone,  and  she  spent  much  of  her  time  alone. 
More  frequently  than  of  old,  did  she  decline  entering 
into  public  and  social  amusements ;  and  even  when 
strongly  urged  by  Mr.  Bullfinch  to  go  out  with  him, 
persisted  in  remaining  at  home. 

Mr.  Bullfinch  had  completed   his  toilette,  after  more 


118  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

than  two  hours  of  time  devoted  to  his  person.  The 
carriage  stood  at  the  door,  waiting  to  convey  him  to 
the  residence  of  his  bride  elect,  and  now  he  descended 
to  the  drawing-rooms,  where  he  expected  to  find  hi 
niece.  She  was  not  there,  however.  He  sent  to  her 
room,  and  she  returned  for  answer  that  she  was  en- 
gaged, and  wished  to  be  excused. 

"  Tell  her  that  I  wish  to  see  her  particularly,"  he 
returned  to  this  message.  In  a  few  minutes,  Fanny 
came  down.  Her  face  wore  a  troubled  expression. 

"Fanny,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  taking  her  hand,  "have 
I  not  always  been  kind  to  you  ?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  dear  uncle !  kind  as  a  father  could  have 
been,"  quickly  replied  his  niece,  speaking  with  concealed 
agitation. 

"  I  could  not  have  loved  my  own  child  better  than  I 
Lave  loved  you,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  tightening  his  grasp 
upon  her  hand  that  remained  in  his. 

Fanny  leaned  her  face  against  him,  and  sobbed. 

"  Dear  child  !"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  affectionately  lay 
ing  his  hand  upon  her  head.  "  You  are  wrong,"  he 
added,  after  a  few  moments,  "  to  fret  yourself  about  this 
matter — very  wrong.  I  will  love  you  none  the  less. 
Do  not  let  your  mind  be  warped  by  a  false  judgment 
of  Miss  Lee.  Believe  me,  she  is  pure  as  an  augeL 
You  will  aoon  be  as  tenderly  united  sisters." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  119 

Mr.  Bullfinch  could  feel  the  quiver  that  rail  through 
the  frame  of  his  niece.  But  she  answered  not  to  his 
words. 

"  A  few  friends  will  be  here,"  he  continued.  "  Be 
cheerful  with  them.  Do  not,  for  my  sake,  let  any  one 
see  that  you  are  opposed  to  what  I  am  doing.  By 
eight  o,clock  we  will  be  here.  Let  Helen  find  you  iu 
our  chamber ;  and,  Fanny,  love,  I  beg  of  you  to  receive 
her  frankly,  kindly — may  I  not  say  with  affection  ?" 

But  Fanny  made  no  reply,  nor  did  she  lift  her  head. 

"  I  will  trust  you  to  do  what  is  right,"  said  Mr.  Bull- 
finch, after  waiting  some  time  for  a  response.  "  I  know 
that  you  will  not  disregard  my  wishes.  Good-bye  for  a 
little  while." 

And  as  he  spoke,  he  lifted  her  concealed  face,  and 
left,  on  her  wet  cheek,  an  earnest  kiss. 

"  Mr.  Bullfinch  passed  from  the  house,  and  Fanny  re- 
turned slowly  to  her  chamber.  Here  she  did  not  long 
remain  passive.  Two  large  trunks  were  in  the  middle 
of  the  floor,  both  nearly  filled  with  clothing;  and  to 
the  work  of  packing  these,  which  her  summons  to  the 
parlor  had  interrupted,  she  again  applied  herself.  Not 
much  remained  to  be  done.  Drawers  and  wardrobe 
were  nearly  empty.  Soon  this  work,  indicating  a  hur- 
ried departure,  was  Dver.  Then  a  note  was  penned, 


120  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE, 

sealed,  and  directed — HELEN  LEE.  This  soe  placed  in 
the  bridal  chamber. 

Twilight  was  falling ;  and  now  another  carriage  stood 
before  the  dwelling  of  Adam  Bullfinch.  Upon  this 
was  placed  the  two  trunks  that  Fanny  had  packed  with 
her  clothing.  A  brief  time  was  spent  in  giving  need- 
ful directions  for  the  reception  of  company  ;  and  then, 
entering  the  carriage,  Fanuy  Milnor  departed  from  the 
home  of  her  childhood  and  youth,  and,  with  a  troubled 
heart,  went  forth  into  the  world,  and  alone. 

An  hour  afterwards,  the  old  man  brought  home  his 
bride. 

''  Fanny  !  Fanny,  love !"  he  called,  as,  on  entering 
the  rooms  above,  to  make  preparation  for  joining  the 
already  assembled  friends,  he  missed  the  expected 
presence  of  his  niece. 

Even,  as  he  spoke,  the  pale  bride  saw  the  note  in- 
scribed with  her  name.  Taking  it  hurriedly,  and  with 
a  foreshadowing  of  its  meaning,  she  broke  the  light  seal, 
and  read : — 

"  Helen  Lee  !  or,  must  I  write,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  !  One 
word,  on  your  entering  this,  my  old  and  happy  home, 
to  become  its  mistress.  I  need  not  tell  you,  who  must 
know  the  truth  too  well,  that  you  do  not  and  cannot 
,ove  and  honor  my  uncle  as  a  true  wife  must  ever  love 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  121 

and  honor  her  husband.  I  need  not  tell  you,  that  un 
worthy  motives  have  influenced  you  in  the  step  you 
have  taken.  That  some  mere  worldly  and  external 
good  has  prompted  the  act — for  all  this  you  must  know 
cut  too  well.  If  your  pillow  do  not  prove  one  of  thorns, 
then  are  your  maidenly  instincts  dead.  If  the  fruit  you 
have  plucked  turn  not  to  ashes  in  your  mouth,  happy 
are  you,  thrice  happy  !  Budding  youth  and  blighted 
old  age  !  Spring  and  Autumn  !  Unnatural  Union  ! 
It  cannot  find  favor  in  the  sight  of  Heaven.  But  my 
feelings  are  carrying  me  away.  As  you  enter,  to  be- 
come the  mistress  of  this  house,  I  go  forth  into  the 
world,  alone.  We  cannot  live  beneath  the  same  roof! 
for  I  despise  you !  And,  yet,  for  the  old  man  you  have 
consented  to  wed,  let  me  ask  something.  I  have  loved 
him  as  a  child,  and  as  a  child  have  ever  sought  his  com- 
fort. The  duty  was  one  full  of  pleasure,  for  love  makes 
labor  light.  With  you,  all  will  be  cold  task-work.  You 
do  not  love  him  as  a  wife — you  cannot.  Oh,  Helen  ! 
Helen  !  why  dfd  you  do  this  ?  I  thought  you  wiser  and 
better.  He  is  old,  with  habits  as  fixed  as  iron  ;  and  if 
you  not  bend  to  these — if  you  do  not  live  in  daily  self 
denial,  you  will  both  be  wretched.  I  tremble  as  I 
think  of  this.  Shall  I  write  more  ?  In  vain  !  in  vain  1 

FANNY." 


122  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

The  whole  of  this  letter  Helen  seemed  to  take  in  a 
one  eagle  glance.  Then  it  was  crumpled  in  her  hand* 
and  thrust,  with  a  passionate  gesture,  into  her  bosom 
Encased  as  she  had  thought  her  heart  to  be  in  a  rocky 
crust,  these  sentences,  like  heavy  strokes,  broke  through  to 
the  sealed  fountain,  and  there  was  a  wild  gush  of  feeling. 

"  What  is  it  ?  what  does  it  mean  ?  where  is  Fanny  ?" 
asked  Mr.  Bullfinch,  greatly  disturbed. 

But  Fanny  did  not  appear,  and  Helen  made  no  re- 
sponse, beyond  her  sobs  and  tears.  The  bell  was  rung 
violently  by  Mr.  Bullfinch. 

"  Where  is  Fanny  1 "  he  asked  of  the  servant  who 
soon  after  entered. 

"  She  went  away,  in  a  carriage,  nearly  an  hour  ago," 
was  answered  to  this  inquiry. 

"  Gone  away !     Where  did  she  go  ?     Speak  1 " 

But  the  servant  could  give  no  information. 

"  Was  that  note  from  her  ?"  inquired  the  excited 
uncle,  turning  to  Helen,  as  he  spoke.  His  tones  were 
sharp  and  imperative. 

u  It  was,"  sobbed  Helen. 

"  Let  me  see  it 

Helen  placed  her  hand  on  her  bosom,  and  felt  the 
crumpled  letter  beneath  her  dress,  but  did  not  comply 
with  the  demand. 


THE    OLD    MANS    BRIDE.  123 

"  Quick !  Lot  me  see  the  letter ! "  said  the  old  man, 
passionately. 

"  It  is  addressed  to  me,"  replied  Helen,  now  gain 
ing  a  little  self-possession,  and  speaking  with  som 
firmness. 

"I  don't  care  who  it  is  addressed  to,  let  me  see  it!' 
exclaimed  Mr.  Bullfinch,  in  the  excitement  of  the 
moment,  forgetting  even  a  decent  regard  for  his  young 
bride,  or  her  parents,  who,  in  the  adjoining  room,  were 
appalled  witnesses  of  the  scene. 

Not  from  hurried  thoughts,  but  from  a  woman's 
quick  instincts,  Helen  decided  her  course  of  action. 
Already  there  was  an  unwarrantable  assertion  of 
authority  over  her,  to  which  she  could  not  yield.  As 
she  would  act  in  the  future,  so  she  acted  now.  Passive 
and  silent  she  sat,  her  tears  suddenly  dried  up,  and 
lifted  her  eyes  till  they  rested  upon  the  red  and  almost 
distorted  face  of  her  husband.  Under  his  angry  glare 
they  did  quail  a  moment. 

"  The  note  is  addressed  to  me,  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  sh 
said   at  length,  "  and  I  cannot  show   it.     No  doub 
Fanny  has  made,  or  will  make,  a  communication  for 
you  also.     She  has  left  your  house,  because  I  am  about 
to  come  into  it.     Of  where  she  has  gone,  or  what  sho 
will  do,  she  says  nothing  to  me.    Beyond  this,  you 
have  no  interest  in  her  letter." 


124  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

The  calm  dignity  and  self-possession  of  his  young 
wife  instantly  subdued  the  over-excited  old  man.  He 
saw  that  he  was  wrong,  and  that  he  had  made  an  exhi- 
bition of  himself  ever  to  be  regretted.  Still,  he  was 
deeply  disturbed  by  the  unexpected  departure  of  his 
niece;  so  much  so,  that  he  found  it  almost  impos- 
sible to  assume  anything  like  a  composed  exterior.  A 
confused,  but  not  over  hearty,  apology  was  made,  both 
to  Helen  and  her  parents.  Soon  after,  all  descended, 
and  received,  from  the  few  friends  of  Mr.  Bullfinch, 
who  had  come  to  honor  the  occasion,  their  wordy  con- 
gratulations. 

How  that  embarrassing  evening  was  passed — embar- 
rassing to  all  parties — we  will  not  describe.  At  an 
early  hour,  the  guests  retired,  feeling  a  sense  of  relief 
as  they  gained  the  open  air,  and  talking  ominously  of 
the  young  bride's  future,  as  they  moved  away.  And, 
in  truth,  the  promise  was  not  fair 


CHAPTER  Xin. 

THE  sun  of  fortune  was  rising  on  Henry  Wei  libra 
He  had  now  been  six  months  in  the  house  of  Lane  & 
Latta,  and  so  trusty  and  capable  was  he,  that  his  new 
employers  had  already  raised  him  to  a  more  responsi 
ble  position.  In  doing  this,  an  ulterior  purpose  was  in 
their  minds.  They  wished  to  test  his  higher  abilities. 
They  had  business  views  beyond  their  present  opera- 
tions, which,  if  carried  out,  would  require  one  of  the 
partners  to  reside  abroad.  Before  this  change  was 
made,  they  had  decided  to  bring  in  a  third  partner,  a 
young  and  active  man,  to  take  the  place  of  Mr.  Latta, 
who  designed  being  absent.  Of  all  their  clerks,  no  one 
possessed  just  the  qualities  they  desired  except  Wellford ; 
and  their  test  of  his  higher  abilities  proved  altogether 
satisfactory.  Accordingly,  the  offer  of  a  partnership  in 
the  house,  with  a  fair  per  centage  on  the  profits,  was 
made  and  accepted.  The  young  man  was  taken  alto- 


126  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BIUDB. 

gether  by  surprise  at  this  new  stroke  of  good  fortune. 
He  understood  the  business  and  resources  of  the  house 
well  enough  to  know,  that  as  an  integral  part  thereof, 
his  own  permanent  prosperity  was  secured.  Even  from 
the  beginning,  should  no  unforseen  drawback  occur,  his 
dividend  could  not  fall  short  of  two  or  three  thousand 
dollars. 

How  quickly  turned  his  thoughts  to  Helen  Lee, 
when,  through  this  new  vista,  reaching  into  the  future, 
light  dawned  upon  him !  Good  fortune  seemed  a 
double  blessing  when  he  thought  of  her  as  sharing 
therein. 

Never,  since  he  was  so  insultingly  repulsed  by  Mrs. 
Lee,  had  Wellford  called  at  the  residence  of  his  heart's 
idol ;  and  never  since  then  had  he  been  so  fortunate  as 
to  meet  her  on  the  street,  though  hour  after  hour, 
many  and  many  a  time,  he  walked  the  pavement  in 
neighborhoods  where  he  hoped  she  might  be ;  yet 
searched  for  her  thus  in  vain.  Of  what  was  passing  in 
regard  to  her,  not  a  whisper  had  reached  him.  Nor 
had  the  faintest  imagination  of  the  truth  crossed  his 
mind. 

"  More  good  fortune,  mother,"  said  the  young  man, 
in  a. gay  voice,  on  returning  home  after  receiving  the 
proposition  from  Lane  &  Latta,  to  which  we  have 
referred. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRTDE.  127 

Mrs.  Wcllford  lifted  her  pleasant,  cheerful  face,  and 
looked  earnestly  into  the  animated  countenance  of  her 
son,  but  without  speaking. 

"  More  good  fortune,  mother,"  he  repeated,  "  And 
what  do  you  think  it  is  ?" 

"  I'm  sure  I  cannot  tell,  my  son,"  was  the  quiet 
response. 

"  No,  I'm  sure  you  cannot,"  said  Henry.  "  Would 
you  believe  it  ?  They've  offered  me  a  partnership." 

"  Who  ?"  quickly  asked  Mrs.  Wellford. 

"  Lane  &  Latta,"  replied  Henry,  struggling  to  appear 
composed,  yet  betraying  his  emotion. 

"  You  are  not  in  earnest,  surely,  my  son  !"  replied 
Mrs.  Wellford,  in  a  voice  that  was  now  unsteady. 

"  Entirely  in  earnest,  mother.  Mr.  Latta  is  going  to 
London  to  reside,  as  a  representative  of  the  house 
abroad.  They  do  not  wish  to  fill  his  place  here,  which 
is  a  most  important  one,  with  an  irresponsible  clerk, 
and  so  have  determined  to  take  in  a  partner." 

"  And  they  have  chosen  you  ?"  said  Mrs.  Wellford, 
«gerly. 

"  They  have,  mother. 

"It  seems  incredible,  my  son."  Mrs.  Wellford'a 
Toice  trembled.  "  O,  do  not  let  this  good  fortune 
•iplift  your  mind  too  greatly." 

"  Do  not  fear  for  that,"  said  Henry,  speaking  now  in 


128  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

a  more  subdued  tone.  "  I  have  enough  to  keep  mj 
thoughts  sober." 

Both  were  silent  for  some  moments. 

"  Mother,"  said  the  young  man  ;  his  voice  was  low, 
hesitating  and  unsteady — "  Mother,  there  is  one  thing 
of  which  I  nave  never  spoKen  to  you." 

"  What  is  that,  my  son  ?" 

"  You  have  seen  Helen  Lee." 

"  Oh  yes." 

"  For  a  long  time  she  has  been  very  dear  to  me, 
mother." 

Mrs.  Wellford  did  not  look  surprised,  but  waited,  in 
silence,  for  her  son  to  proceed. 

"  Very  dear,  mother,"  he  repeated.  "  But  for  the 
curse  of  poverty,"  (he  spoke  with  a  sudden  bitterness) 
"  I  would  have  long  ago  brought  her  to  our  home,  and 
you  would  have  loved  her  as  your  own  child.  She  is 
poor,  mother,  yet  noble  and  self-devoted  in  her  poverty. 
Bravely  is  she  battling  with  the  world,  and  wresting 
from  it,  in  daily  toil,  the  means  of  support  for  parents 
who  have,  in  her,  their  sole  dependence.  Oh,  how 
often  I  have  sighed  for  the  means  to  lift  her  above  her 
unhappy  condition  !  And  now  they  are  about  coming 
into  my  hands.  So  faithful  and  devoted  a  child,  can- 
not but  make  a  true  and  loving  wife." 

"  You  have  been  to.  me  a  good  son,"  replied  Mrs, 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  129 

Wellford,  as  Henry  ceased  speaking — "  and  I  know  you 
will  make  a  good  husband.  If  Helen  is  worthy  of  you, 
and  I  doubt  not  that  she  is,  make  her  your  wife.  Only 
be  sure,  Henry,  that  you  have  the  ability  to  ineet  the 
added  expense.  If  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lee  have  no  means 
of  support  but  the  earnings  of  their  daughter,  you  can- 
not remove  the  stay  of  their  life  without  taking  the 
burden  on  yourself." 

"  How  thankful  I  am,"  said  the  young  man,  "  that 
I  now  have  the  ability  to  do  this.  No,  no ;  I  will  not 
remove  the  stay  of  their  life,  without  myself  taking  up 
the  burden." 

In  the  ardor  of  his  new  hopes  and  brighter  prospects, 
Wellford  could  not  bear,  it  seemed,  the  intervention  of 
a  single  hour  between  this  and  the  time  of  another 
meeting  with  Helen. 

"I  will  see  her  this  very  night,"  said  he,  as  his 
thoughts  .grew  more  active  in  that  direction.  "  Poor, 
dear  girl !  what  may  she  not  have  borne  and  suffered 
since  our  last  meeting !  But  it  is  all  over  now." 

And  yet  even  as  he  spoke  thus  within  himself,  a 
shadow  from  the  wing  of  doubt  fell  upon  his  spirit. 
Utterly  unaccountable  had  ever  been,  and  still  remained, 
her  sudden  turning  from  him.  That  it  was  not  from  es- 
tranged affection,  he  knew,  even  though  her  mother  had 
rudeiy  striven  to  make  him  believe  otherwise.  And 


130  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

yet,  might  there  not  exist  causes  which  would  separate 
them  forever  f  As  doubt  formed  this  question  in  his 
mind,  a  cold  thrill  ran  along  his  nerves.  Less  confident 
cow  than  when,  under  the  impulse  awakened  by  his 
unexpected  good  fortune,  his  thoughts  turned  fondly 
and  hopefully  towards  Helen,  Wellford  prepared  him- 
self to  make  her  a  visit. 

Daylight  had  faded,  and  night  was  closing  in  darkly 
when  he  left  his  now  comfortable  home,  and  took  his 
way  to  the  humble  abode  of  Helen.  Love  gave  fleet- 
ness  to  his  steps,  and  he  hurried  along  the  pavement 
like  one,  on  whose  errand  life  and  death  were  depend- 
ing. Just  as  he  turned  into  the  little  street  where  Mr. 
Lee  resided,  two  carriages  started  from  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  his  dwelling,  and  came  sweeping  past  him 
rapidly.  Into  one  of  these  carriages,  a  gas  lamp  threw 
its  bright  glare.  Was  it  an  illusion  ?  or  did  his  eyes 

rest  upon  the  pale,  passionless  face  of  Helen  Lee,  as  she 

« 

crouched  beside  an  old  man !  Instantly  his  steps  were 
arrested,  and  he  stood,  for  a  time,  like  a  statue.  Then, 
the  carriage  whirled  out  of  sight,  he  sprung  forward, 
and  was  soon  at  the  door  of  the  dwelling  he  sought. 
His  loud  knock  was  answered  by  a  hollow  reverberation 
from  within.  He  knocked  again  and  again,  but  only 
echo  replied  to  his  summons.  Gazing  up  at  the  house, 
he  found  all  the  shutters  closed.  What  could  be  the 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  131 

meaning  of  this  ?  Had  they  moved  away,  or  were 
they  only  absent  temporarily  ?  Again  he  knocked,  and 
more  loudly  ;  it  was  with  the  same  result.  All  the 
while  that  he  stood  thus,  vainly  seeking  to  gain  admis- 
sion, the  vision  that  had  so  suddenly  fallen  upon  his 
eyes,  remained  before  him  with  annoying  distinctness. 

Disappointed  and  troubled,  he  turned  at  length, 
away,  and  walked  slowly  from  the  seemingly  deserted 
house.  He  paused,  however,  before  passing  the  next 
street,  looked  back  with  an  earnest  gaze,  and  finally 
retraced  his  steps.  His  second  attempt  to  arouse  the 
inmates  of  Mr.  Lee's  dwelling,  if  any  were  therein, 
proved  as  fruitless  as  the  first. 

"  I  will  make  inquiry  concerning  them,"  said  he,  as  a 
suggestion  crossed  his  mind.  "  Their  neighbors  can  tell 
me  whether  they  have  moved,  and  if  so,  where  they  are 
now  to  be  found." 

And  so  he  applied  at  the  adjoining  house. 

"  Has  Mr.  Lee  moved  3"  he  asked  of  a  servant, 
who  answered  the  bell  he  rung  with  a  pretty  decided 
hand. 

w  I  believe  not,"  was  the  reply. 

"  I  have  rung  several  times,  but  no  one  seems  to 
hear." 

"  Maybe  they're  out,"  suggested  the  servant. 

"  You're  sure  they've  not  moved  ?"  said  Wellford. 


132  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Havn't  seen  any  moving  going  on  there,  though  1 
shouldn't  wonder." 

"  Why  shouldn't  you  wonder  ?"  asked  the  young  man, 
ha  a  voice  that  betrayed  more  interest  than  he  wished 
to  show. 

"  Oh,  because."  And  there  was  a  knowing,  vulgar 
leer  on  the  servant's  face. 

"  Because  what  ?"  So  sharp  and  imperative  was  the 
voice  of  Wellford,  that  the  girl  looked  frightened,  and 
stepped  back  a  pace  or  two. 

"  Why  shouldn't  you  wonder  if  they  had  moved  i" 
he  repeated,  bending  towards  the  girl,  and  now  speak- 
,ng  in  a  milder  and  more  persuasive  voice.  "  Nothing 
wrong  there,  I  hope  ?" 

u  0,  no  sir  ;  nothing  that  I  know  of." 

"  But  what  reason  have  you  to  think  they  have 
moved  ?" 

"  It  was  only  my  fun,  sir ;  nothing  else,"  replied  the 
girl,  who  now  began  to  fear  that  she  might  have  said 
something  that  would  bring  her  into  trouble.  Seeing 
that  the  young  man  was  about  pressing  the  matter  on 
her  still  further,  she  shut  the  door,  and  left  him  stand 
ing  without. 

More  troubled  and  perplexed  than  ever,  Wellford 
moved  away,  and  again  left  the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood of  Mr.  Lee's  dwelling.  Dissatisfied,  he  once  more 


THE'OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.  13S 

relumed,  unwilling  to  go  until  the  mystery,  which,  in 
his  mind,  now  closed  around  Helen  and  her  family,  wa» 
cleared  up. 

"  There  was  something  in  that  girl's  mind  ;"  thus  he 
communed  with  hjmself;  "what  could  it  be?  She 
bad  light  thoughts  of  the  family  ;  and  such  thoughts 
are  never  entirely  baseless.  Can  there  be  any  true 
foundation  in  the  appearances  upon  which  they  rest  ? 
Where  has  Helen  been — what  has  she  been  doing  for 
over  six  months — the  long,  long  period  that  has  elapsed 
since  I  last  gazed  upon  her  face  ?  Can  anything  be 
wrong  ?  I  tremble  at  the  thought.  In  some  fearful 
extremity  can  she  have  yielded  to  temptation  ?  No, 
no !  I  fling  the  unworthy  thought  aside,  scorning  my- 
self for  having  given  it  utterance.  But  where  is  she  ? 
Could  that  have  been  her  I  saw  in  the  carriage !" 

Spite  of  his  manliness,  a  shudder  crept  along  his 
excited  nerves. 

"  I  must  solve  this  mystery  !"  said  he,  and  he  rang 
the  bell  of  another  house  in  the  immediate  proximity  to 
that  of  Mr.  Lee. 

"Has  the  family  next  door  to  you  moved  away  !M 
Le  asked. 

"  Which  family  ?"  was  returned. 

"That  of  Mr.  Lee." 

u  I  believe  not,  sir." 


134  THE  OLD  MAN'H  BRIDE. 

"  There  is  no  one  in  the  house.  I  have  rung  the  bell 
a  number  of  times." 

"  I  saw  Mrs.  Lee  from  our  back  windows,  several 
times  during  the  afternoon." 

«  Yon  did  2" 

"Oh,  yes." 

"  What  is  wanted  ?"  now  called  out  a  voice,  at  some 
distance  along  the  passage  within. 

"  A  gentleman  is  inquiring  about  Mr.  Lee,"  replied 
the  servant. 

"  What  about  them  ?" 

"  He  wishes  to  know  if  they  have  moved  away  ?" 

"  They  haven't  moved  their  things  out  yet,"  said  a 
lady,  now  advancing  to  the  door. 

"Then  they  are  going  to  leave  here,"  remarked 
Wellford. 

"Oh,  dear,  yes.  Their  daughter  was  married,  to- 
night, and  they  have  gone  with  her  to  her  new  home." 

"  Married  !"  exclaimed  the  young  man. 

"  Ob,  yes,  indeed !  And  such  a  marriage  !  Janu- 
ary and  May !"  Spring  in  the  lap  of  Winter  1  It's  the 
strangest  thing  I  ever  heard  of." 

"  To  whom  is  she  married  ?"  asked  Wellford,  in  a 
hoarse  voice.  It  was  only  by  a  strong  effort  that  he 
*ould  control  his  feelings  sufficiently  to  give  utterance 
so  the  question. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  135 

"  To  a  man  old  enough  to  be  her  grandfather.  Who 
he  is,  I  don't  know.  But  they  say  he's  rich  as  a  Jew. 
But,  if  she  isn't  sorry  for  it  before  she  dies,  then  1  don't 
know  anything  of  woman's  nature." 

Nothing  more  did  the  young  man  pause  to  heai 
The  blasting  fact,  so  rudely  announced,  was  enough  foi 
him.  What  need  he  care  for  details  and  particulars  ? 
It  was  a  late  hour  when  he  reached  his  home,  the  time 
verging  on  to  midnight.  Mrs.  Wellford  still  sat  up, 
awaiting  his  return.  She  knew  the  purpose  of  his 
visit  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Lee,  and  she  did  not  care 
about  retiring  until  advised  of  the  issue  of  his  suit. 
That  it  would  be  favorable,  she  had  no  reason  to  doubt. 
Well  might  she  be  startled  at  his  appearance  when  he, 
at  length,  came  in  so  quietly  that  her  watchful  ear  had 
scarcely  noticed  his  entrance,  and  stood  before  her,  re- 
vealed suddenly,  like  an  apparition. 

"  Oh,  Henry !"  she  exclaimed,  clasping  her  hands 
together.  "  What  has  happened  ?  Why  do  vou  look 
so?" 

The  young  man's  colorless  lips  quivered  as  he  es 
sayed,  but  in  vain,  to  speak.  For  a  few  moments,  th 
mother  and  son  gazed  into  each  other's  faces.  Then 
the  latter  attempted  to  pass  on  to  his  own  room ;  but 
Mrs.  Wellford  caught  his  hand  and  detained  him,  say- 
ing, in  a  voice  full  of  tender  interest — 


136  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDB. 

"  Henry,  my  son,  what  ails  you  ?  Is  anything  wrong 
with  Helen  ?" 

"  Wrong — wrong !     Oh,  mother !" 

This  was  his  first  utterance,  and  the  words  were 
rather  sobbed  out  than  spoken. 

A  long  silence  ensued,  in  which  Henry  was  striving 
for  the  mastery  over  his  feelings ;  and  his  mother,  con 
scious  of  the  struggle,  sat  awaiting  the  result.  At  last 
the  sufferer  lifted  his  face — how  changed  in  a  few  short 
hours  ! — and  said,  speaking  now  with  icy  calmness — 

"  As  I  came  near  the  house  of  Mr.  Lee,  to-night,  two 
carriages  drove  away.  In  one  of  them  was  a  young 
girl,  in  whose  very  pale  face  I  thought  I  recognized  the 
features  of  Helen.  She  sat  beside  an  old  man,  and 
seemed  as  if  she  were  shrinking  away  from  rather  than 
toward  him.  This  was  seen  only  at  a  single  glance,  as 
a  strong  light  shone  for  an  instant  into  the  passing 
vehicle.  The  house  of  Mr.  Lee  I  found  deserted.  I 
rung  and  rung  again,  but  no  one  answered  the  bell. 
Then  I  made  inquiry  of  a  neighbor,  as  to  whether  the 
family  had  moved  away,  and  learned  that  Helen  had 
just  been  married." 

"Married,  Henry!" 

"  Yes,  mother,  married,  and  to  an  old  man  ! "  H* 
spoke  with  bitterness. 

"Who  is  he?" 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  13? 

Henry  shook  his  head,  sighing. 

"  I  know  not." 

"  Married — married !  Had  you  no  intimation  of 
this  ? " 

"  None  in  the  world.  Oh !  how  could  I  have 
dreamed  of  such  a  thing  ?  It  has  fallen  on  me  like  a 
bolt  from  heaven,  searing  my  very  heart.  Good  night ! 
good  night,  dear  mother  ! "  he  added  quickly,  and  with 
returning  emotion ;  and,  as  he  spoke,  he  left  the  room 
hurriedly,  and  went  up  to  his  own  chamber. 

Hours  went  by,  and  Mrs.  Wellford,  too  much  dis- 
turbed for  sleep,  could  hear,  ever  and  anon,  the  foot- 
steps of  her  unhappy  son,  as  he  walked  restlessly  the 
floor  above  her. 

In  the  morning,  he  came  down  early,  as  usual.  How 
that  night  of  suffering  had  marred  his  fresh,  young 
countenance,  and  dimmed  the  light  of  his  pleasant  eyes  ! 
He  looked  as  if  years  had  left  upon  him  their  marks  of 
suffering  and  disappointment.  His  mother's  eyes  grew 
dim  as  she  read  the  change,  and  understood  too  well 
how  deep  must  have  been  the  anguish  that  produced 
it.  But  few  words  were  said  as  they  sat  at  the  scarcely 
tasted  morning  meal,  and  in  these  was  not  even  a  re 
mote  allusion  to  the  incidents  of  the  evening  before. 
Each  spoke  to  the  other  in  tones  of  deeper  affection  ; 
each  felt  for  the  other  a  stronger  love.  Their  hearts 


138       THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

were  closer  knit.  Henceforth,  in  the  bosom  of  Henry 
Wellford,  the  altar-fires  were  to  be  kept  alive  only  by 
the  oil  of  filial  love.  Beyond  this,  the  stay  of  his  life 
had  failed ;  and,  like  a  long-absent  wanderer,  storm 
tossed  and  tempest-marred,  he  sought  rest  and  refuge 
where  it  was  surely  to  be  found. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

HENRY  WELLFORD  was  sitting  at  his  desk  on  the  morn- 
ing after  the  marriage  of  Helen  Lee,  with  his  thoughts 
far  away  from  business,  when  his  attention  was  arrested 
by  a  remark  from  Mr.  Lane,  who  was  looking  over  a 
morning  paper. 

"  Bless  me ! "  said  that  gentleman,  speaking  to  a 
friend,  who  was  sitting  near  him,  also  engaged  with  a 
paper.  "  Here  is  news !  " 

The  friend  looked  up  inquiringly. 

"  Who  do  you  think  is  married  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Lane. 
There  was  a  broad  smile  on  his  face. 

"Who?" 

"  You  wouldn't  guess  in  a  month. 

"  Then  I  won't  be  so  foolish  as  to  make  the  trial 
Who  is  the  happy  man  ?  " 

"  Old  Bullfinch." 

"No  I" 


140  THE    OLD    MAN'8    BRIDE. 

"  It's  a  fact,  as  I  live.  Here  it  is,  all  in  black  and 
white.  Listen.  Married,  on  Wednesday  evening,  21st 
inst.,  Mr.  Adam  Bullfinch  to  Miss  Helen  Lee." 

"  Why,  the  old  sinner  !  He'd  better  be  thinking  of 
his  grave.  Married !  And  to  Miss  Helen  Lee  ?  And 
pray  who  is  the  damsel  ?  A  spinster  of  fifty,  or  some 
blooming  maiden  of  sweet  sixteen  ?  The  latter,  I'll  be 
bound  !  Well,  it  does  beat  all ! " 

"  You  remember  Lee  who  failed  in  the  West  India 
trade,  after  crippling  himself  through  an  unfortunate 
sugar  speculation  ? "  said  Mr.  Lane. 

"  O  yes,  very  well." 

"  You  also  remember  his  daughter  Helen  ?  " 

"  I  do.  She  was  a  lovely  girl.  But  I'll  not  believe 
that  she  has  thrown  herself  away  upon  Adam  Bull- 
finch." 

"  He  is  rich  ;  or,  at  least  so  esteemed,"  said  Mr.  Lane, 
meaningly. 

"  What  of  that  ?  If  my  impression  of  the  girl  is 
correct,  money  would  never  have  bought  her.  She 
would  have  died  of  starvation  ere  thus  proving  traitor 
to  her  woman's  heart." 

M  For  the  sake  of  her  parents  she  may  have  done  this. 
They  are  very  poor,  and  Mr.  Lee  is  in  bad  health.  He 
has  not  been  able  to  engage  in  any  business  for  somo 
time." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  141 

The  friend  shook  his  head,  remarking — • 

"  Bad,  bad,  bad.  Nothing  will  justify  a  marriage 
like  this,  Can  she  possibly  find  happiness  ? " 

"  She  hardly  took  that  into  the  account,"  said  Mr 
Lane.  "  So  far  as  she  is  herself  concerned,  if  the  girl 
I  supposed  her  to  be,  she  expects  happiness  in  her  mar- 
riage relation,  about  as  much  as  the  martyr  looks  for 
pleasure  at  the  stake.  She  is  passing  through  the  fire, 
hoping  for  something  beyond :  or,  I  might  rather  say, 
is  giving  up  her  very  life  for  the  sake  of  her  parents' 
external  comfort.  This,  at  least,  is  my  interpretation  of 
the  matter." 

"  How  sad  to  think  of,"  was  remarked,  in  answer  to 
this.  "  Ah  me  !  It  is  a  fearful  mistake.  And  such  a 
husband  for  a  young,  innocent,  pure-minded  woman ! 
Why,  he  is  the  merest  sensualist.  A  man  who  has 
blotted  out  from  his  impure  mind,  every  idea  involved 
in  a  true  marriage  !  It  is  shocking  to  think  of.  Poor 
girl !  If  she  have  thus  sacrificed  herself  for  the  sake  of 
her  parents,  she  is  to  be  pitied  indeed.  They  should 
never  have  allowed  it  to  take  place.  Better  have 
starved  together,  than  buy  luxurious  living  at  such  a 
price." 

"  As  for  the  luxurious  living,"  said  Mr.  Lane,  "  I  am 
not  so  certain — at  least  so  far  as  permanency  is  con- 
cerned." He  spoke  in  rather  a  lower  tone  of  voice. 


142  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  The  fact  is,  Mr.  Bullfinch  is  far  from  being  as  shrewd 
in  business  matters  as  formerly,  and  I  shouldn't  be  at 
all  astonished  if  he  were  to  find  himself  thrown  to  the 
wall  one  of  these  days.  You  remember  that  nice  opera- 
Jon  of  his  in  sugars  and  coffees  ?" 

"  Very  well  It  is  said  that  he  lost  about  ten  thou- 
sand dollars." 

"  I  shouldn't  like  to  make  his  loss  good  out  of  twelve 
thousand,"  said  Mr.  Lane. 

"  Do  you  think  the  speculation  was  so  bad  as  that  T 

"  I  am  sure  of  it.  Then,  he  sold  Wayland  after 
every  one  else  had  refused  to  credit  him  a  single  dollar, 
and  bore,  in  consequence,  the  heaviest  loss  sustained  by 
a  failure  which  the  merest  tyro  in  business  saw  must 
inevitably  take  place.  It's  my  opinion,  though  I 
wouldn't  like  to  say  it  out  of  doors,  that  Adam  Bull- 
finch isn't  worth  as  much  now  as  he  was  twelve  months 
ago  by  twenty  thousand  dollars." 

"  You  surprise  me,"  said  the  friend. 

"  And  what  is  more,  if  he  doesn't  show  himself  wiser 
n  his  business  operations  than  he  has  been  for  some 
time  past,  he'll  find  the  end  of  his  rope  much  sooner 
than  he  or  any  one  else  dreams  of." 

"  In  that  case,  the  bird  who  has  just  entered  his  cage, 
will  not  hare  even  gilded  bars  against  which  to  beat 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  143 

»nd  bruise  herself.  Ah  what  a  mistake  that  young 
bride  has  committed !" 

"  Yes,  look  at  it  as  you  will,  it  is  all  a  mistake. 
What  compensation  is  there  in  mere  wealth,  or  the  ex- 
ternal good  it  procures,  for  a  life-long  association  against 
which  the  heart  revolts,  even  from  its  profour.der 
depths  ?" 

"  And  you  think  her  heart  will  so  revolt !  That  she 
really  has  no  affection  for  the  old  man  ?  That  she  will 
not  love  him  with  something  like  filial  tenderness  ? 
That,  should  wealth  fail  him,  she  will  not  cling  to  him 
more  closely,  hiding  his  detects  lovingly  from  the  world, 
and  sustaining  him,  even  as  a  vine  the  decaying  branches 
that  bore  it  at  first  from  the  earth,  where  it  lay  with  no 
inherent  power  to  lift  itself  into  the  pure  air  and  warm 
suHshine." 

"  No  !"  was  the  emphatic  answer. 

"  That  little  word  comprehends  a  great  deal." 

"  It  does,  and  fully  covers  this  question.  What  Mr. 
Bullfinch  is,  as  a  man,  we  know  pretty  well.  His  heart 
lies  not  in  the  centre,  but  beats  everywhere,  so  to  speak, 
in  the  very  external  of  his  life.  He  comprehends  only 
by  the  touch.  He  is,  in  plainer  language,  the  mere 
sensualist — taking  the  term  in  its  broader  signification 
— in  the  world.  What  does  he  understand  of  the  deli- 
cate emotions,  the  pure,  almost  sp' ritual  perceptions, 


144  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

the  exquisite  appreciation  of  qualities,  possessed  by  the 
heart  of  a  truly  virtuous  woman,  such  as  I  believe  his 
child-wife  to  be  ?  Nothing — less  than  nothing." 

"  Not  much,  I  can  readily  believe,"  was  answered. 

"  And  is  it  to  be  supposed,  for  a  moment,  that  the 
grosser  qualities  of  his  mind  will  not  be  perceived,  in- 
stinctively, by  the  finer  appreciation  of  hers,  and  that 
such  a  perception  will  not  be  accompanied  by  a  suffocat- 
ing disgust  ?  We  cannot  reasonably  hope  for  a  differ 
ent  result." 

"I  suppose  not,"  was  remarked  in  reply.  A  cus- 
tomer entered  at  the  moment,  and  there  the  conversa- 
tion, every  word  of  which  had  fallen  upon  the  ears  of 
Wellford,  ended.  He  knew  that  Helen  had  married 
an  old  man ;  that  he  learned  on  the  night  previous — 
but  he  was  not  prepared  to  hear  that  Adam  Bullfinch 
was  her  husband.  Of  him  he  knew  quite  enough — 
knew  him  to  be  essentially  a  gross  and  impure-minded 
man. 

"  Unhappy  girl !"  he  sighed,  as  a  momentary  forget- 
fulness  of  his  own  bitter  disappointment,  left  his  heart 
free  to  pity  the  wretched  victim  of  a  mistaken  sense  of 
duty — "into  what  a  gulf  of  wretchedness  you  have 
thrown  yourself !" 

A  short  time  he  remained  at  the  desk ;  then,  unable 
to  compose  his  mind,  or  to  fix  his  thoughts  on  buai 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  Hf: 

ness,  he  went  out,  and  wandered  through  the  streets  for 
an  hour,  striving,  though  vainly,  to  repress  the  wild 
agitation  into  which  he  had  been  thrown.  Returniujj 
to  the  store,  he  sought  to  compose  his  mind,  and  give 
renewed  attention  to  the  duties  that  devolved  upon 
him ;  but  this  he  found  utterly  impossible.  The  dis- 
turbance from  which  he  suffered  was  no  mere  ripple  on 
the  surface  of  his  life — it  went  to  the  very  depths  of 
his  being.  The  whole  current  of  thought  and  feeling 
was  in  commotion.  Strong  of  will  though  he  was  by 
nature,  and  habitual  in  self-control,  he  failed  now, 
utterly,  in  every  effort  to  subdue  the  strife  within.  A 
plea  of  indisposition — far  from  being  assumed  on  his 
part — sufficed  to  release  him  from  duties  which,  in  his 
state  of  mind,  he  found  it  impossible  to  perform,  and 
he  left  the  store  and  returned  home. 

On  the  following  mornirg,  Wellford  was  absent  from 
his  post  On  sending  to  his  house,  word  came  back 
that  he  was  still  too  much  indisposed  for  business,  but 
hoped  to  be  well  enough  on  the  next  day  to  resume  his 
place.  But  the  next  day,  and  the  next  following,  he 
was  still  absent.  Two  weeks  elapsed,  and  then  his  old 
position  was  resumed.  All  saw  that  he  was  a  changed 
man,  yet  none  guessed  the  cause  and  nature  of  the 
change.  It  was  not  strongly  marked,  yet  clearly 
apparent  to  every  one  who  was  familiar  with  his  daily 


146  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

manner  and  habit  of  mind.  He  did  not  converse  a? 
freely  as  before,  nor  take  his  usual  interest  in  passing 
events.  He  was  often  absent-minded  to  a  degree  that, 
at  first,  made  his  business  action  partially  defective ; 
but  this  he  gradually  overcame,  and  devoted  himself  to 
trade  with  greater  concentration  of  thought  than  ever. 
In  fact,  the  new  position  he  had  assumed  in  the  house 
of  Lane,  Latta  &  Co.  demanded  this  intense  applica- 
tion of  all  his  powers.  It  was  well  for  him,  perhaps, 
that  such  was  the  case.  It  prevented  the  sickly, 
brooding  state  into  which  he  would  have  fallen  almost 
inevitably.  He  not  only  felt  the  responsibJ'H"  of  his 
new  relation  in  business,  but  a  desire  to  m  ••»»  jie  most 
of  it  in  a  worldly  point  of  view,  from  ends  not  even 
fully  acknowledged  to  himself,  came  gradually  into 
activity.  And  so  he  was  sustained  in  the  great  trial 
he  had  been  called  to  pass  through ;  sustained  so  far, 
at  least,  as  the  world's  observation  was  concerned.  Nc 
eye  penetrated  the  secret  chambers  of  his  heart ;  none 
knew  of  the  darkness  and  coldness  that  dwelt  there : 
none  saw  the  anguish  that  overmastered  him  in  his 
hours  of  solitude.  Intimately  blended  with  all  his 
hopes  in  life — more  intimately  than  was  known  even  to 
himself— had  been  the  image  of  Helen  Lee.  Though 
she  had  turned  from  him,  he  felt  that  there  was  no 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BUIDE.  14*7 

estrangement  in  her  heart ;  and  he  was  patiently 
awaiting  the  time  that  would  remove  the  cloud  from 
the  sun  of  his  life,  when  it  was  darkened  suddenly  by  a 
total  eclipse. 


CHAPTEE  XV. 

THE  little  scene  enacted  at  the  house  of  Mr, 
Bullfinch,  on  the  occasion  of  bringing  home  the  bride, 
was  unfortunate.  The  quick  temper  and  strong  self- 
will  of  the  old  man  were  thus  fully  exhibited  in  the 
beginning  ;  while  he  saw  something  more  in  his  young 
wife  than  he  had  expected  to  find  —  a  dignified, 
womanly  firmness  that  he  might  not  hope  to  bend.  In 
the  almost  fragile,  mild,  retiring,  beautiful  girl,  he  had 
seen  nothing  but  what  was  passive  or  yielding.  In 
winning  her  to  his  home,  he  had  looked  for  the 
possession  of  an  object  from  which  only  pleasure  would 
come.  Such  a  thing  as  opposition  to  his  will  had 
never  been  taken  into  the  account.  He  scarcely 
regarded  her  as  one  capable  of  opposition.  In  an 
instant  the  delusion  vanished. 

On  the  other  hand,  Helen  had  seen  nothing  about 
Mr.  Bullfinch  that  led  her  to  regard  him  as  anything 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  149 

but  a  kind,  mild-tempered  man.  This  sudden  ebulli- 
tion, therefore,  while  it  surprised,  armed  her  against 
him.  And  so,  between  the  two,  was  established,  from 
the  very  beginning,  a  position  of  antagonism,  not 
strongly  marked  at  first,  but  still  existing,  and  the  fact 
thereof  never  for  a  moment  absent  from  the  conscious- 
ness of  both  parties. 

The  abandonment  of  her  home  by  his  niece  was  a 
circumstance  for  which  Mr.  Bullfinch  was  altogether 
unprepared.  Not  only  as  a  public  rebuke  did  it  hurt 
him ;  but  the  act  did  violence  to  his  real  affection  for 
one  who  had  been  to  him  for  so  many  years  as  a  child 
— loved,  indulged  and  cared  for.  Had  the  question  of 
marrying  Helen  and  giving  up  Fanny  been  presented 
for  decision — could  he  have  clearly  seen  this  issue — the 
old  man  would  have  hesitated  long  before  taking  a  step 
that  now  promised  far  less  of  happiness  than  a  fond 
imagination  had  pictured.  Fanny  knew  all  his  tastes 
and  habits,  and  had  endeared  herself  to  him  by  a  daily 
regard  for  his  comfort.  Inordinately  selfish,  as  such 
men  are,  he  loved  her  the  more,  because  she  ministered 
to  his  enjoyments.  With  her  as  a  daughter,  and 
Helen  as  a  wife,  he  had  anticipated  a  climax  of  earthly 
good.  But  even  as  he  grasped  the  cup  that  was  to 
intoxicate  him  with  pleasure,  a  rude  hand  jostled  it, 
and  spilled  more  than  half  its  contents  upon  the  earth. 


150  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

Without  Fanny,  he  felt  that  home  would  be  robbed  of 
half  its  sunshine  ;  and  he  had  already  too  good  reason 
to  doubt  the  ability  of  his  young  wife  to  restore  the 
absent  light.  How  little  of  good  promise  was  there,  in 
all  this,  for  the  future  1 

From  the  beginning,  there  was,  on  the  part  of  Helen, 
a  defective  appreciation  of  the  daily  wants  of  her  hus- 
band. Her  own  father  was  nothing  of  an  epicure,  and 
few  men  sought,  less  than  he,  pleasure  in  a  mere  grati- 
fication of  sensual  appetites.  She  had  not  learned, 
therefore,  to  know  the  wants  of  a  man  like  Mr.  Bullfinch. 
Mr.  Lee  required  little  service  of  those  around  him. 
Greater  pleasure  he  always  derived  from  ministering 
than  from  being  ministered  to.  But  Mr.  Bullfinch 
thought  only  of  himself,  and  was  disappointed  and 
fretted  if  everything  did  not  bend  to  his  gratification. 
Considering  her  home  education,  and  the  character  of 
her  mind,  a  mere  child  was  about  as  well  fitted  for  th« 
wife  of  Adam  Bullfinch  as  the  young  creature  he  had 
dragged  into  a  position  from  the  duties  of  which  he^ 
whole  nature  revolted.  Had  Fanny  Milnor  remained 
the  difficulties  of  Helen's  position  would  have  been  less ; 
as  it  was,  more  was  expected  of  her  than  it  was  in  her 
power  to  give. 

A  week  from  the  inauspicious  marriage  day  had 
elapsed.  It  was  morning,  and  Mr.  Bullfinch  was  walk- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  151 

ing  the  floor  of  the  breakfast-room  with  a  step  the 
quickness  of  which  showed  his  mind  to  be  disturbed. 
Every  now  and  then  he  would  pause,  glance  at  the 
time-piece  on  the  mantel  and  again  resume  his  uneasy 
movement.  At  length  his  impatience  overleaped  the 
barriers  of  repression ;  lifting  a  small  table-bell,  he  rung 
it  violently.  Mr.  Lee,  who  was^  reading,  in  one  of  the 
parlors,  supposing  this  to  be  the  summons  to  breakfast, 
came  up,  and  entered  the  room.  He  saw  in  a  moment 
by  the  dark  brow  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  and  the  unfur- 
nished table,  his  error.  And  so,  without  speaking,  he 
retired,  wishing,  in  his  heart,  that  he  were  back  again, 
with  his  wife  and  child,  in  the  poor  but  independent 
home  from  which  Helen's  inauspicious  marriage  had 
lifted  them.  As  he  reached  the  parlor,  he  heard  the  bell 
again,  rung  louder  and  more  impatiently  than  before. 

A  waiting-woman  now  appeared  in  the  breakfast- 
room,  in  answer  to  this  repeated  summons. 

"  What's  the  meaning  of  this  ?  Why  is  breakfast 
not  ready  ?"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  angrily. 

"  I  don't  know,  sir,"  was  the  timid  reply. 

"  Well,  somebody  ought  to  know !  Here  it  is 
half  an  hour  past  the  usual  time.  Go  down  into 
the  kitchen,  and  see  what  on  earth's  the  matter. 
Nothing  goes  right  in  this  house,  now." 

As  Mr.  Bullfinch  said  this,  Helen  entered  the  room, 


]  52  THE    OLD    MAN  8    BRIDE. 

fixing,  as  she  did  so,  her  large,  calm  eyes  upon  him, 
with  a  look  that  subdued,  yet  inwardly  chafed  him. 

"  I  wish  you  would  see  a  little  after  things,"  said  he, 
m  a  greatly  modified,  yet  reproving  voice.  "  I  like 
order  and  punctuality.  I've  always  been  used  to,  and 
must  have  it." 

"  What  is  wrong,  now  ? "  inquired  Helen,  coldly. 

"  Wrong  !  Don't  you  see  that  it's  almost  an  hour 
past  our  usual  breakfast  time  ? " 

Helen  glanced  at  the  time-piece,  and  merely  said — • 

"  Is  it  any  fault  of  mine  ? " 

A  rebuking  reply  trembled  on  the  lips  of  Mr.  Bull- 
finch ;  but  he  had  already  learned  to  fear  the  excite- 
ment of  certain  moods  in  his  young  bride  ;  and,  there- 
fore, wisely  restrained  its  utterance. 

In  the  pause  thus  created,  and  while  both  parties 
stood  looking  at  each  other,  with  something  of  defiance 
in  their  manner,  the  waiter  came  in  with  breakfast. 

"  Heady,  at  last,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  moodily.  "  This 
will  never  suit  me." 

The  bell  was  rung,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lee  joined 
their  daughter  and  her  husband  at  the  table. 

Silently  the  meal  passed.  Each  heart  was  oppressed. 
How  different  from  the  pleasant  breakfasts  enjoyed  by 
Mr.  Bullfinch  and  his  niece  for  so  many  years !  As 
mistress  of  his  household,  Fanny  had  studied  and  met 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  153 

her  uncle's  tastes  and  peculiar  habits  in  almost  every- 
thing. She  was  truly  attached  to  him,  and  derived 
pleasure  from  thus  anticipating  and  meeting  his  wants. 
Affection  made  the  service  delightful.  No  morning 
jneal  was  set  upon  the  table,  in  the  preparation  of 
which  she  had  not  given  some  direction,  and  in  which 
was  not  some  dish  that  her  epicure  uncle  regarded  as  a 
favorite.  And  so,  they  ever  met  at  breakfast  in  cheer- 
ful mood,  and  enjoyed  it  together. 

Ah  !  how  different  were  all  the  daily  meals  now  1 
Mr.  Bullfinch  had  bought  a  wife  with  gold — a  young 
and  beautiful  wife — and  she  was  now  the  mistress  of 
his  household.  Bought  love!  It  was  mocking  him 
already  like  an  unsubstantial  shadow. 

Silently  the  morning  meal  passed,  and  comfortless  to 
Mr.  Bullfinch.  Not  a  dish  had  the  old  taste,  for  the 
directing  hand  of  the  absent  one  was  wanting.  This, 
to  the  old  man,  was  a  serious  drawback,  for  in  eating 
was  included  a  large  measure  of  his  daily  satisfaction  in 
life.  Of  this,  his  young  wife  knew  nothing.  She  did 
jt,  in  fact,  comprehend  how  any  one  could  make  the 
pleasures  of  the  table  a  paramount  thing.  Her  father 
had  always  been  to  her  the  type  of  manly  virtues  and 
endowments,  and  ho  never  found  fault  with  what  was 
set  before  him — but  ever  partook  of  the  plainest  food 
with  apparent  relish.  Her  mother  had  little  taste  for 


154       THE  OLD  MAN'S  BKIDE. 

the  kitchen.  And  so,  the  domestic  education  of  Helen 
in  no  way  fitted  her  for  the  wife  of  Adam  Bullfinch. 

The  unenjoyed  breakfast  over,  the  old  man  left  foi 
his  store,  in  no  pleasant  mood,  and  Helen  was  alone 
with  her  parents. 

"  I  never  saw  such  a  man !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Lee, 
almost  as  soon  as  he  had  left  their  presence,  and  ere 
the  street  door  closed  on  his  retiring  form.  "  Nothing 
pleases  him ;  and  he  is  as  sour,  at  times,  as  vinegar." 

"  Breakfast  was  late,  and  it  fretted  him,"  said  Helen, 
in  an  apologetic  manner. 

"  I  wonder  if  he  never  bad  breakfast  late  in  his  life 
before  ?"  replied  Mrs.  Lee. 

"  I  don't  know,  I'm  sure,"  Helen  spoke  in  an  absent 
manner.  M  But,  we  must  try  and  remedy  the  defect. 
It  may  easily  be  done,  I  suppose,  and  if  so,  I  must  do 
it." 

M  Yes,  my  child,"  said  Mr.  Lee — '•  do  it  by  all  means. 
Mr.  Bullfinch  is  a  man  of  orderly,  punctual  habits,  and 
little  matters  like  this  fret  him  a  great  deal.  You  will 
soon  get  to  understand  his  wishes  and  peculiarities,  and 
it  will  be  your  duty,  and  I  hope  your  pleasure" — Mr. 
Lee's  voice  faltered  a  little  in  spite  of  his  effort  to 
retain  its  calmness—"  to  meet  the  one  and  adapt  your- 
self  to  the  others." 

"  I  will  try  to  do  right,  father,"  Helen  replied.     Her 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  156 

voice  was  steady,  but  her  father  saw  that  her  eyes 
were  humid. 

"  Ah  !"  he  sighed  to  himself,  as  she  passed  from 
the  room — "  what  a  trial !  God  give  her  strength 
to  bear  it." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

A  MONTH  had  passed  siuce  Fanny  Milnor  went,  a 
voluntary  exile  from  her  uncle's  house.  To  her,  the 
trial  had  not  proved  a  light  one.  Much  of  this  time 
she  had  suffered  from  a  depressing  home-sickness  ;  and 
nightly  she  dreamed  of  the  old  pleasant  place,  and  of 
her  kind  uncle.  Yet,  had  she  not  once  repented  of  the 
step  which  she  had  taken. 

She  was  sitting,  one  day,  about  this  time,  in  no 
cheerful  mood,  trying,  but  in  vain,  to  become  interested 
in  the  pages  of  a  book  she  was  reading,  when  a  ser- 
vant came  to  her  door,  and  said  that  a  lady  had  called 
and  wished  to  see  her. 

"Did  she  send  up  her  name  ?"  inquired  Fanny. 

The  servant  replied  in  the  negative. 

"  Why  didn't  you  ask  her  name  ?" 

"  I  did,"  was  answered,  "  but  she  said  it  made  n« 


THE    OLD   MAN'S    BRIDE.  157 

difference,  and  that  she  would  prefer  seeing  you  in  your 
own  room." 

Fanny  thought  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  said — 

"  Tell  her  to  walk  up." 

The  servant  retired,  and  Fanny  awaited  her  return 
with  the  visiter,  wondering  the  while  who  it  could  be, 
Soon  footsteps  were  heard  on  the  stairs,  and  along  the 
passage  leading  to  her  room. 

The  door  was  again  opened  by  the  servant ;  a  lady 
stepped  in,  and  the  servant  retired. 

Instantly  the  face  of  Fanny  Milnor  flushed  to  a  deep 
crimson  ;  her  eyes  gave  forth  an  indignant  light,  while 
her  lips  arched  scornfully. 

"  You  here  !  I  did  not  expect  this,"  she  said,  while 
the  stain  of  anger  rose  even  to  her  br.ow.  Then,  with 
a  suddenly  assumed,  yet  mocking  smile,  she  added — 
"  To  what  am  I  indebted  to  a  visit  from  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch?" 

"  Helen — for  it  was  she — had  prepared  herself  for 
this,  or  even  a  more  cutting  reception.  The  bitter 
scorn  of  the  girl,  therefore,  did  not  discompose  her. 
Though  not  offered  a  chair,  she  seated  herself,  her 
wonderfully  calm  and  penetrating  eyes  fixed  with  a 
steady  look  upon  Fanny,  who  still  remained  standing. 

"  May  I  pass  a  few  sober  words  with  you,  Fanny  ?" 
she  now  said,  in  a  voice  10  low  and  senous,  that  tho 


158  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

indignant  girl  felt  its  influence,  yet  was  in   no 
inclined  to  bend  from  the  haughty,  repellant  attitude 
she  had  assumed  towards  the  wife  of  her  uncle. 

"  What  can  you  have  to  say  to  me  ?"  was  her  sharply 
uttered  retort. 

"  Much  that  you  ought  to  hear,"  said  Helen. 

"  Away !  Leave  me !  We  can  hold  no  inter- 
course," exclaimed  Fanny,  passionately. 

"  Fanny  Milnor !" 

"  Go !"  And  turning  her  face  aside,  the  niece  of  Mr. 
Bullfinch  waved  her  visiter  with  an  imperative  gesture, 
to  retire. 

"  No,  Fanny,"  was  the  undisturbed  answer.  "  I  am 
prepared  for  all  this,  and  much  more.  Having  entered 
upon  the  present  work,  I  am  not  to  be  turned  aside  from 
my  purpose  by  the  first  difficulty  that  presents  itself.  I 
have  come  to  talk  with  you  about  your  uncle ;  the  old 
man  in  whose  behalf  you  appealed  to  me  so  earnestly." 

The  arched  lip  did  not  in  the  least  unbend  itself: 
nor  was  there  any  softening  of  Fanny's  cold,  scornful 
eye  ;  neither  answered  she  a  word. 

"  Your  uncle  is  not  happy,"  said  Helen. 

"  Happy !"  was  sharply  and  suddenly  answered. 
*  Happy!  Was  he  so  mad  as  to  expect  it  with 
you?" 

"  If  so,"   returned  Helen  calmly,  "  he  has  already 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.  159 

awasened  from  his  delusion.  But,  he  was  fore- 
warned." 

"  In  truth  was  he !"  ejaculated  Fanny. 

"  If  by  you,  then  twice  forewarned,"  said  Helen,  as 
she  looked  steadily  on  the  proud,  de6ant  girl — so  steadily, 
that  the  eyes  of  the  latter  sunk  beneath  her  glance, 
and  in  slight  confusion  of  thought,  she  said,  repeating 
the  words  of  her  visitor : 

"  Twice  forewarned  ?" 

"Yes,  twice." 

"  And  by  whom  beside  myself  ?" 

"  I  forewarned  him." 

"You?" 

"  Yes,  I ;  and  repeated  the  warning.  But,  he  would 
not  hear  me.  That,  however,  is  past  now ;  and  for 
either  you  or  I  to  refer  to  it  is  bootless.  Enough  that 
your  uncle  is  unhappy,  and  will  remain  so  until  you 
return  to  him." 

That  I  will  never  do  !"  was  the  positive  declaration 
of  Fanny.  "  When  I  left  his  house,  I  left  it  forever. 
What !  do  you  think  I  would  share  the  honors  thereof 
with  you  ?" 

Again  her  lip  curled  with  ineffable  scorn. 

The  pale  cheeks  of  Helen  now  flushed ;  and  her 
hitherto  steady  eyes,  grew  restless.  The  loss  of  self 


160  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

possession,  however,  was  but  momentary.  When  she 
spoke  again,  her  voice  was  steady  as  before. 

"  You  can  take  all  the  honor  if  you  will.  I  have  no 
ambition.  Make  your  uncle  happy  if  you  can.  Sup- 
ply to  him  again  what  he  hoped,  but  vainly  hoped,  to 
find  in  me.  That  is  your  duty.  My  position.need  not 
touch  yours.  Never  fear  that  I  will  interfere  with  your 
old  prerogatives.  Glad  will  I  be  to  have  you  resume 
them.  If  you  love  your  uncle,  Fanny,  return  to  him." 

"  And  did  he  send  you  to  lure  me  back  again  ?" 
said  Fanny,  bitterly.  "  Why  did  he  not  come  himself  ? 
But,  he  knew  the  power  of  your  eloquence !" 

This  meaning  assertion  broke  through,  the  crust  that 
protected  the  feelings  of  Helen.  Her  face,  that  had 
resumed  its  paleness,  flushed  again,  and  her  eyes  fell 
under  the  sharp  glances  of  Fanny,  while  her  form 
seemed  to  shrink  into  smaller  dimensions.  As  soon  as 
she  could  trust  her  voice  with  words,  she  said — • 

"  Our  assumptions  are  often  far  wide  of  the  truth, 
Fanny.  In  this  instance  yours  are  so." 

Steady  though  the  voice  was,  it  had  in  it  a  heart- 
touching  mournfulness,  to  which  even  the  mailed  heart 
of  Fanny  was  not  altogether  proof.  But  she  repressed 
the  rising  sympathy,  or  pity,  which  ever  it  might  be 
called,  and  said  as  coldly,  and  in  as  repellant  a  mannei 
as  at  first — 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRTDE.  161 

"  Why  did  not  my  uncle  come  himself?  Why  did 
he  send  you  ?n 

"  He  did  not  send  me,"  replied  Helen. 

You  have  come  at  his  instance,  at  least." 

"  No." 

"  Is  he  sick  ?" 

"  He  is  unhappy ;  and  sickness  of  the  soul  needs 
medicine  quite  as  much  as  sickness  of  the  body.  For 
years,  .you  have  been  the  light  of  his  household.  All 
is  dark  since  your  withdrawal.  Return,  then,  and  be 
to  him  as  of  old ;  return,  Fanny,  and  my  heart  will 
bless  you.  I  have  no  power  to  chase  the  shadows 
from  his  heart  and  brow." 

"  Why,  then,  did  you  assume  an  office  that  you  can- 
not fill  ?"  asked  Fanny,  sternly. 

"  To  err  is  human,"  was  the  touching,  mournfully 
uttered  reply. 

"A  poor  excuse  for  premeditated  wrong,"  said 
Fanny.  "  But  it  weighs  nothing  here.  With  subtlety 
from  base  ends,  you  adroitly  flattered  my  uucle,  until 
you  drew  him  within  your  toils " 

"  It  is  false !"  exclaimed  Helen,  with  an  emphasis 
and  an  energy  that  startled  her  auditoi.  "  False  to  the 
utmost  meaning  of  the  word." 

She  had  risen  to  her  feet,  and  stood,  with  her  body 
drawn  to  its  full  height,  and  her  large  eyes  glaring  upon 


162  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

the  face  of  Fanny  Milncr,  who,  in  momentary  surprise, 
retreated  a  pace  or  two. 

"  False,  proud,  harsh-judging  girl  P  she  added,  with 
a  womanly  dignity  and  self-possession  that,  for  the 
time,  completely  subdued  her  listener.  "I  claim  to  be 
as  pure  in  motive,  as  free  from  all  that  is  base,  as  your- 
self. If  I  have  erred,  it  has  not  been  in  self-seeking. 
Heaven  knows  I  expected  no  good  for  myself — and  I 
shall  not  be  disappointed  P 

"  What  did  you  expect,  pray  ?"  inquired  Fanny  with 
A  covert  sneer. 

"  Silence !"  was  the  stern,  subduing  answer  to  this. 
"  I  will  bear  from  you  no  further  insuit.  Do  your  own 
duty  before  you  question  the  right  or  wrong  of  my 
actions.  You  have  deserted  the  relative  to  whom  you 
owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  a  life-service  might  not  pay. 
I  have  told  you  that  this  desertion  has  robbed  him  of 
happiness  ;  that  no  one  can  supply  your  place.  Thus 
far  I  have  done  my  duty.  It  is  left  for  you,  so  quick 
to  censure  others  on  insufficient  grounds,  to  do  yours. 
Good  morning." 

And,  without  waiting  for  a  response,  Helen  left  th« 
apartment 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

THE  effo  t  made  by  Helen  to  induce  Fanny  to 
return  to  her  uncle's  house,  proved  unsuccessful.  The 
girl's  entire  being  had  revolted  against  the  unnatural 
union,  and  now,  look  at  it  and  think  of  it  as  she  would, 
the  intense  disgust  at  first  created  remained.  The 
interview  just  described  had  inspired  her  with  a  degree 
of  respect  for  Helen  not  before  felt,  and  left  in  her 
heart  a  feeling  of  pity  for  the  unhappy  creature,  who 
gave  painful  evidence,  not  only  in  her  countenance,  but 
in  the  tones  of  her  voice,  of  having  suffered  intensely. 
This  was  one  thing ;  but  to  live  in  daily  intercourse 
with  her  as  the  wife  of  her  uncle,  was  another  matter 
altogether.  To  do  that,  she  did  not  regard  herself  as 
under  obligation ;  and  so  she  remained  steady  to  her 
first  purpose.  Mr.  Bullfinch  was  not  the  man  to  go 
after  her,  and  seek  to  bring  her  back  to  his  home. 
Had  he  put  any  faith  in  her  threat  to  leave  him,  he 


164  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

would  have  used  every  inducement  in  his  power  to  pre- 
vent her  doing  so.  But,  now  that  she  had  actually  gone 
away,  his  pride  would  not  let  him  take  even  the  first 
step  towards  prevailing  on  her  to  return.  The  effor 
which  Helen  had  made  was  entirely  without  his  know 
ledge. 

Time,  while  it  wore  ajvay  some  of  the  rough  edges 
which  at  first  produced  unpleasant  contact,  did  very 
little  towards  bringing  into  harmony  the  opposing  ele- 
ments which  a  false  marriage  had  bound  together.  A 
closer  union  with  Mr.  Bullfinch  in  no  way  broke  down 
the  repugnance  which,  from  the  first,  possessed  the  mind 
of  Helen — in  no  way  lessened  the  pain  of  the  living 
sacrifice  she  had  made  and  was  still  making. 

The  change  produced  upon  the  state  and  temper  of 
the  young  wife,  by  the  new  relation  into  which  she  had 
come,  was  almost  inconceivable.  At  the  end  of  six 
months,  she  was  so  altered  that  a  familiar  friend,  who  had 
been  absent  through  the  period,  would  scarcely  have 
known  her.  Not  in  the  breaking  down  of  her  health 
was  this  apparent,  though,  most  of  the  time,  her  face 
had  an  unnautral  paleness ;  nor  was  it  shown  in  a 
spiritless  or  melancholy  exterior.  Most  the  change  was 
seen  in  the  development  of  a  more  decided  character  ; 
in  an  occasional  haughtiness  of  manner,  savoring  at 
times  of  heartlossness,  never  displayed  before  her  mar 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  165 

riage.  She  seemed  to  regard  her  new  position  as  one 
of  defence,  if  not  actual  warfare,  and  to  have  armed 
herself  at  every  point. 

Although  Helen  tried,  and  faithfully,  for  a  time,  so 
to  administer  the  affaire  of  her  husband's  household  as 
to  meet  his  wants  and  wishes,  she  was  unable  to  satisfy 
his  expectations ;  and  he,  too  old  and  confirmed  iu  his 
ways  to  bend  to  the  new  order  of  things,  fretted,  or 
stormed,  as  the  case  might  be,  thus  making  matters 
worse  instead  of  better.  A  milder  temper  on  his  part ; 
a  giving  up,  in  a  measure,  if  only  in  appearance,  of  self, 
and  a  graceful  acceptance  of  the  earnestly  made  efforts 
of  Helen  to  have  all  things  as  he  desired,  would  have 
encouraged  and  softened  her  feelings  towards  him. 
But,  he  only  thought  of  and  felt  the  disagreeable  differ- 
ences that  now  existed,  and  continually  chafed  his  wife 
by  a  complaining  or  angry  reference  thereto.  Mr.  Lee 
did  what  he  could,  in  his  weak  way,  to  ameliorate  what 
was  around  him,  while  the  mother  of  Helen  was  ever 
making  things  worse  by  an  unwise  interference  when 
Mr.  Bullfinch  was  present,  or  indignant  animadver- 
sions on  his  conduct  when  he  was  absent. 

A  few  times  had  Helen  been  abroad  with  her  hus- 
band since  their  marriage.  From  social  or  public  ap- 
pearances she  had  shrunk  with  a  reluctance,  that  it 
required  all  her  strength  of  will  to  overcome.  Of  her 


166  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

personal  appearance  and  accomplishments,  Mr.  Bull- 
finch was  very  proud  ;  and  having  no  delicacy  touching 
the  diversity  in  their  ages,  would  have  shown  her  off  on 
all  occasions,  could  he  have  made  her  passive  to  his  will. 
This,  however,  was  a  matter  in  which  he  rarely  had  his 
own  way.  When  he  wished  her  to  go  out  with  him, 
she  never  failed  to  have  some  good  reason  for  desiring 
to  remain  at  home ;  and  far  oftener  than  was  agreeable 
to  her  husband,  refused  positively  to  go  with  him  to 
places  of  public  amusement,  or  to  join  in  private  enter- 
tainments. In  company,  the  fond  old  man  was  ever 
desirous  of  bringing  his  wife  forward ;  urging  her  to 
play  and  sing  invariably  on  these  occasions.  She  had 
a  fine  voice,  and  sung  and  played  with  exquisite  taste 
and  skill.  But,  thus  to  be  thrust  forward  in  strange 
companies — her  circle  of  personal  and  intimate  friends 
was  very  limited — was  what  she  could  not  endure,  and 
she  yielded,  therefore,  only  on  few  occasions  to  the 
wishes  of  her  husband,  who  not  unfrequently  lost 
patience  with  her,  and  manifested,  in  mixed  companies, 
to  the  mortification  of  Helen,  and  the  delight  of  those 
who  were  ill-natured  and  fond  of  idle  gossip,  an  over- 
bearing and  fretful  temper. 

Something  like  a  year  had  elapsed  since  Helen's  mar- 
riage, when,  one  day,  invitations  were  sent  in  for  a  party 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  Lane.  The  first  impulse  of  Mrs 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  1C7 

Bullfinch  was  to  destroy  them,  and  thus  leave  her  hus- 
band in  ignorance  of  the  fact  that  they  had  ever  been 
received.  Upon  second  thought,  however,  she  hesitated 
to  do  this.  Knowing  the  temper  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  she 
did  not  wish  to  be  involved  in  the  trouble  that  wouk 
surely  follow  his  discovery  of  what  had  been  done.  So, 
after  pondering  the  matter  for  some  time,  she  wisely 
determined  to  let  things  take  their  course. 

"What  is  this?"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  as  his  eyes 
rested  on  the  note  of  invitation,  which  Helen  had  been 
at  no  pains  to  conceal,  and,  as  he  spoke,  he  took  it  up 
and  read  it 

"  Ah,  indeed  ! "  he  remarked,  with  a  pleased  manner 
"  Company  at  Mr.  Lane's,  on  Thursday  evening." 

"  So  it  seems,"  remarked  Helen,  indifferently. 

"  Something  brilliant,  no  doubt.  I've  been  at  several 
of  Mr.  Lane's  entertainments,  and  they  are  handsome 
affairs.  We  will  go,  of  course.  I  always  regretted  that 
you  did  not  accept  the  last  invitation.  Now,  I  am  sure 
you  will  be  delighted." 

"  I  care  but  little  for  company,"  said  Helen. 

So  much  the  worse  for  you,"  replied  her  husband, 
speaking  in  a  quickened  tone  of  voice.  "  If  you  would 
go  abroad  more  frequently,  instead  of  moping,  as  you 
do,  at  home,  from  week  in  to  week  out,  you  would  have 
better  health  arid  lighter  spirits.  Really,  Helen,  you 


168  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

wrong  yourself  your  husband,  and  society,  by  the  way 
you  are  acting.  I  like  company — am  social  in  my 
habits — have  many  friends  whom  I  desire  to  meet ;  but 
you—" 

Mr.  Bullfinch  felt  himself  growing  warm,  and,  there- 
fore, checked  the  utterance  of  what  was  on  his  tongue. 
He  had  learned  to  forbear  a  little,  as  the  re-action  of 
his  young  wife  was  at  times  of  a  character  far  from 
agreeable. 

"  You  need  not  deny  yourself  any  social  pleasures  on 
my  account,  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  said  Helen.  I  shall  always 
be  gratified  to  have  you  go  into  company.  If  I  am  hap- 
pier at  home,  why  drag  me  out  into  the  world,  between 
which  and  myself  is  no  congenialty,  no  sympathy  ?  " 

"  I  cannot  bear  to  hear  you  talk  in  this  way,  Helen," 
replied  Mr.  Bullfinch,  with  real  kindness  of  manner. 
"  What  would  I  not  give  to  see  you  cheerful  and  happy : 
ready  to  take  the  world  as  it  is,  and  enjoy  all  the  good 
it  has  to  offer !  This  is  my  philosophy  :  and  if  it  was 
yours,  how  much  of  sunlight  would  be  on  your  way — • 
and  on  mine" — he  added  in  a  lower  voice. 

Helen  drew  a  deep  sigh,  but  did  not  answer.  She 
felt  the  utter  impossibility  of  being  what  her  husband 
desired  her  to  be ;  and  yet,  as  a  wife,  it  was  her  duty 
to  do  all  in  her  power  for  his  happiness.  A  cleai  per- 
ception of  duty,  accompanied  by  this  sense  of  the  im- 


THE~OLD    MAN'S    BKIDE.  169 

possibility  of  its  performance,  so  saddened  her  spirit, 
that,  in  spite  of  her  struggles  to  hide  what  she  felt,  tears 
flowed  from  her  eyes. 

It  was  not  often  that  she  had  permitted  Mr.  Bullfinch 
to  see  her  weep.  Intensely  as  she  had  too  frequently 
suffered,  she  had  been  able,  through  pride,  strength- 
ened by  a  strong-  will,  to  subdue  the  woman's  weakness 
that  melted  into  tears.  And  there  was  another  reason. 
She  did  not  love  her  husband,  and,  therefore,  in  her 
intercourse  with  him,  was  rarely  affected  with  any  of 
the  tenderer  emotions. 

It  was  a  strange  thing  for  Mr.  Bullfinch  to  see  his 
wife  in  tears ;  and  it  moved  him  greatly. 

"  My  poor,  dear  child,"  said  he,  with  unaffected  kind- 
ness, as  he  laid  his  hand  caressingly  upon  her.  "  Do 
not  take  on  so  about  this.  If  you  are  so  adverse  to 
going  into  company,  I  will  not  urge  it  upon  you.  We 
can  be  happy  with  each  other  at  home.  Try,  dear 
Helen  !  to  be  more  cheerful.  I  love  you  truly,  and  will 
do  all  in  my  power  to  secure  your  happiness.  Have  I 
not  done  so  from  the  first?  Perhaps  I  have  been 
strong-headed,  at  times,  from  confirmed  habit ;  this, 
you  must  look  over  and  forgive.  I  am  a  little  quick- 
tempered, but  it  is  soon  past  and  forgotten." 

And  as  he  thus  talked,  the  feelings  of  Helen  softened 
more  and  more,  and,  for  awhile,  she  wept  freely, 
8 


170  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

Thought  was  clearer  as  emotion  at  length  subsided,  and 
she  saw  more  distinctly  her  duty  than  she  had  seen  it 
for  a  long  time.  A  softer  expression  came  into  her  face, 
and  her  large  eyes  drooped  with  something  of  a  woman's 
tenderness. 

"  I  will  go  witn  you  to  Mr.  Lane's,"  said  she,  in  a 
gentle  voice. 

"  We  will  decline  the  invitation,  if  it  is  at  all  disa- 
greeable to  you,  Helen,"  replied  Mr.  Bullfinch. 

"  I  would  rather  go.  It  ought  not  to  be  disagreea- 
ble. I  know  that  I  seclude  myself  too  much  ;  that  I 
am  unjust  to  you.  But  I  will  try  to  overcome  my  weak- 
ness." 

Her  voice  trembled  through  part  ef  this  sentence,  but 
regained  its  steadiness  at  the  cl^se. 

"  It  is  not  good  for  us  to  keep  ourselves  too  much 
away  from  society,"  remarked  Mr.  Bullfinch.  "The 
mind  will  prey  upon  itself.  In  cheerful  contact  with 
the  world,  we  gain  cheerfulness.  As  face  answers  to 
face  in  a  glass,  so  does  the  face  of  a  man  to  his  friend 
We  reflect  our  mutual  good  feelings,  and  thus  share 
them  as  common  property.  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say 
that  you  will  go  to  Mr.  Lane's.  I  know  you  will  enjoy 
yourself." 

How  little  did  he  know  of  her  true  state  of  mind ! 
Enjoy  herself  in  a  gay  company,  with  the  spirit  of  which 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  l7l 

her  palsied  heart  had  nothing  in  common  ! — in  a  com- 
pany where  she  would  be  as  the  wife  of  an  old  man, 
the  observed  of  many  curious  observers,  and  the  subject 
of  ungenerous  and  heartless  comment!  Enjoy  herself! 
It  was  the  anticipation  of  an  utter  impossibility.  Ah  1 
Mr.  Bullfinch  little  dreamed  of  the  self-abnegation  in- 
volved in  the  declared  purpose  of  his  wife  to  go  with 
him  to  the  brilliant  party  that  was  to  be  given  at  Mr. 
Lane's.  He  was  too  much  pleased  at  her  assent  in  the 
matter  to  look  very  curiously  below  the  surface ;  and 
too  little  skilled  in  the  mysteries  of  woman's  nature  to 
comprehend  what  he  saw,  even  if  it  were  possible  for 
him  to  open  a  window  into  her  heart. 

Preparation  for  the  event  was  next  to  be  made.  Mr. 
Bullfinch  expressed  his  wish  that  Helen  should  appear 
with  befitting  elegance,  and  that  there  might  be  nothing 
to  prevent,  supplied  her  liberally  with  money,  besides 
presenting  her  with  some  rich  and  costly  jewelry.  If 
Helen  had  consulted  her  own  tastes  and  feelings,  she 
would  have  attired  herself  with  extreme  simplicity,  in 
order  to  attract  as  little  attention  as  possible.  But 
knowing  what  her  husband  desired  and  expected,  and 
aware  how  much  he  would  be  disappointed  If  sne  did 
not  dress  with  an  elegance  that  accorded  with  his 
views,  she  abandoned  her  own  preferences.  In  doing 
this,  she  was  still  governed  by  good  taste. 


172  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDK. 

Uaving  consented  to  dress  for  the  sake  of  pleasing 
her  husband,  a  change  of  feeling  came  over  Mrs.  Bull 
finch.  Gradually,  an  interest  in  the  work  of  prepara 
tion  was  awakened.  As  one  article  of  attire  after  an 
other  was  chosen,  and,  in  imagination,  she  saw  the 
effect  which  it  produced,  the  pride  of  appearance  grew 
active,  and  something  like  a  spirit  of  emulation  warmed 
the  cold  atmosphere  in  which  her  thoughts  had  moved. 

Strange  as  it  may  seem,  this  feeling  gradually  in- 
creased, until  Helen  began  to  look  forward  to  the  com- 
ing entertainment  with  something  like  pride  and  plea- 
sure. If  she  was  to  be  the  observed  of  many  observers, 
admiration,  as  well  as  pity,  should  be  excited.  Once 
admitted  to  a  place  in  her  bosom,  the  feeling  grew 
stronger ;  and  by  the  time  the  evening  of  the  party  had 
arrived,  the  old  man's  bride  was  anticipating  the  occa- 
sion as  one  in  which  triumphs  were  to  be  achieved. 
And  she  did  not  greatly  err  in  this.  But  of  their  na- 
ture there  came  no  foreshadowing  to  her  mind. 


CHAPTER   XYHL 

THE  evening  of  the  party  at  Mr.  Lane's  had  come, 
and  the  interest  now  manifested  therein  by  Helen,  was 
a  matter  of  surprise  both  to  her  husband  and  parents  — 
pleased  surprise  to  Mr.  Bullfinch  and  her  mother,  and, 
to  her  father,  who  had  observed  with  a  sad  hopelessness 
of  feeling,  the  unnatural  changes  which  were  taking 
place  in  the  character  and  mental  states  of  his  daugh- 
ter, a  source  of  at  least  some  small  degree  of  satisfac- 
tion. 

If,  in  anything,  Mr.  Bullfinch  was  dissatisfied  with 
the  appearance  of  his  wife,  when  she  joined  him,  o" 
descending  from  her  chamber,  dressed  for  the  occasion 
t  was  in  the  lack  of  certain  showy  points  which  her 
good  taste  had  led  her  to  reject.  Yet,  for  all  this, 
never  had  she  appeared  so  beautiful  in  his  eyes — never 
nad  he  felt  prouder  of  her  than  now 

a  You  really  look  charming,  Helen,"  he  said,  as  he 


174  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

gazed  upon  her  with  lover-like  admiration.     "  Charm- 
ing," he  repeated,  BS  his  eyes  ranged  over  her  person. 

"  Do  1 3"  was  her  simple  response  ;  yet,  in  the  tones 
of  her  voice,  the  most  indifferent  ear  could  have  de- 
tected an  expression  of  pleasure. 

"  And  you  would  have  looked  more  beautiful  still," 
he  added,  "  if  you  had  consulted  less  carefully  your  too 
severe  taste.  A  little  more  ornament  would  have  made 
the  whole  effect  perfect." 

Helen  smiled  rather  feebly,  as  she  answered — 
"My  own  opinion  is,  that  I  am  rather  over-dressed." 
"  0,  no,  no ;  not  in  a  single  particular,"  said  the 
ardent,  admiring  old  man.     "  Your  excellent  taste  will 
always  prevent  your  falling  into  that  error." 

"  Others  may  see  with  different  eyes,"  replied  Helen, 
as  a  shadow  flitted  over  her  face. 

For  the  sober  moods  of  his  wife,  Mr.  Bullfinch 
had  no  fancy.  He  saw  the  passing  shadow,  and  said, 
instantly — 

"  Come,  dear ;  the  carriage  is  waiting." 
Without   further  remark,   Helen  passed   from    the 
house,  and  was  soon  whirling  away  towards  the  elegant 
residence  of  Mr.  Lane. 

It  was  not  without  sore  conflict,  and  bitter  self-denial, 
that  Helen  had  decided  to  make  one  of  this  party,  the 
second  of  any  promised  brilliancy  which  she  had  been 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  175 

induced  to  attend  since  her  marriage.  After  her  de- 
cision, she  came  under  the  influence,  as  has  been  seen, 
of  a  new  state.  A  certain  worldliness  of  feeling  over- 
laid the  instinctive  qualities  of  her  mind,  and  gave  birth 
to  a  spirit  of  emulation,  and  a  desire  to  make  fin  im- 
pression. She  was  too  conscious  that,  in  marrying  an 
old  man,  she  had  forfeited  the  good  opinion  of  h,er  sex. 
She  had  but  to  take  counsel  of  her  own  thoughts  and 
feelings,  to  know  how  the  act  would  be  regarded.  She 
had  but  to  refer  to  her  own  loss  of  self-respect,  to  know 
how  she  would  be  esteemed  among  right-feeling  women. 
She  could  not,  therefore,  go  into  society  hoping  to  win 
regard  and  love — hoping  to  gain  a  position  such  as  she 
might  be  proud  to  occupy.  As  she  must  appear  on  the 
social  stage,  it  was  needful  to  act  a  part ;  and  her  latent 
pride  of  character  prompted  her  to  choose  a  brilliant 
part,  and  to  act  it  well.  If  she  could  not  inspiro 
a  sentiment  of  respect,  she  was  resolved  to  win  ad- 
miration. 

This  was  the  state  of  mind  which  the  unhappy  vie 
Jm  of  a  false  marriage  was  endeavoring  to  superinduce 
upon  her  real  character.  The  effects  of  her  last  struggles 
with  good  impulses  were  visible  in  the  flitting  shadow 
that  darkened  her  young  brow,  as  she  was  about  pass- 
ing from  the  scene  of  rehearsal  at  home  to  make  her 
appearance  on  the  stage  at  Mr.  Lane's. 


176  THT5    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDR. 

As  Mrs.  Bullfinch  entered  the  brilliantly  lighted  ana 
already  well-filled  drawing-rooms,  not  a  trace  of  weak- 
ness could  be  seen  on  her  beautiful  countenance,  that 
was  flushed  with  hues  warm  from  her  now  lightly  beat 
ing  heart.  Leaning  on  the  arm  of  her  husband,  sha 
moved  amid  the  crowd,  extorting  admiration,  and  con- 
scious that  it  was  given. 

"  Who  is  she  ?"     "  Is  that  her  father  ?" 

Such  questions,  in  suppressed  tones,  or  low  whispers, 
reached,  ever  and  anon,  her  ear.  They  did  not  awaken 
in  her  bosom  a  quicker  throb.  She  was  fully  prepared 
for  them.  None  knew  better  than  she,  that  her  hus- 
band was  old  enough  to  be  her  father,  and  she  did  not 
expect  strangers  to  the  true  relation  that  existed,  to  be 
guiltless  of  error  on  the  subject.  Her  pride  had  been 
wounded,  over  and  over  again,  from  these  mistakes,  so 
naturally  made  ;  but  she  had  covered  her  coat  of  mail 
with  new  plates  of  harder  and  more  highly  polished 
steel,  and  especially  for  this  occasion ;  end  now  the 
arrows  rebounded  from  her  protected  bosom  witl 
scarcely  a  jar  against  the  armor. 

"  Beautiful !" 

"  What  a  splendid  creature  !" 

"  Not  her  husband  ?" 

Was  it  a  well-bred  company,  that  remarks  like  thes« 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDB.  177 

wora  loudly  enough  uttered  to  reach  her  ears — in  fact, 
uttered  at  all  ? 

Well-bred,  or  not,  such  whispered  remarks  were  made, 
nnd  were  heard  by  the  young  wife.  We  only  note  the 
fact.  If*  such  things  indicate  want  of  good-breeding, 
then  there  is  a  sad  lack  of  this  essential  of  truly  good 
society  in  many  of  our  fashionable  drawing-rooms,  and 
among  people  who  effect  to  hold  everything  vulgar  in. 
abhorrence. 

But  Helen  was  protected  at  every  point.  She  knew 
the  quality  of  those  among  whom  she  was  going,  and 
was  well  enough  read  in  the  book  of  human  nature  to 
understand  the  lessons  that  were  profitable  to  be  learned. 
And,  yet,  while  she  was  altogether  unaffected  by  a 
reference  to  her  position  as  the  wife  of  an  old  man,  she 
was  far  from  being  insensible  to  the  admiration  she  had 
designed  to  awaken.  That  produced  a  warmer  glow  in 
her  bosom,  and  deepened  the  rose  that  spread  its  beau- 
tiful petals  on  her  cheeks. 

As  the  wife  of  Adam  Bullfinch,  Helen  attained  at 
once  a  social  position.  The  standing  thus  settled,  her 
personal  attractions  made  her  the  centre  of  a  circle,  in 
which  she  was  no  shrinking  girl,  timid  of  her  powers, 
but  a  self  possessed  woman,  entirely  equal  to  the  main- 
tenance of  her  position,  yet  never  guilty  of  ever-acting 
or  indelicate  boldness  ;  and,  therefore  extorting  a  senti- 
8* 


]Y8  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDB. 

ment  of  respect,  as  well  as  compelling  admiration. 
While  she  made  no  overtures,  she  rejected  no  proffered 
attentions  ;  and  all  who  came  in  contact  with  her  were, 
in  a  measure,  constrained  to  a  favorable  impression. 

It  was  not  long  after  Helen  entered  the  drawing- 
rooms  of  Mr.  Lane,  before  she  became  aware  of  the 
presence  of  two  persons,  who  if  she  did  not  hold  her 
natural  feelings  with  a  double  rein,  would  have  power 
to  break  down  her  assumed  character,  and  compel  her 
to  retire  in  utter  inability  to  sustain  the  part,  in  acting 
which  she  had  made  so  good  a  beginning.  These  were 
Henry  Wellford,  and  the  niece  of  her  husband,  Fanny 
Mil  nor. 

What  she  was  to  endure,  from  the  presence  of  Well- 
ford,  may  be  imagined  from  the  fact  that  she  had  not 
met  him  since  her  marriage,  and  had  ever  looked  for- 
ward to  such  a  meeting  as  a  trial  of  all  others  to  be 
dreaded.  Far  away,  in  the  most  sacred  chamber  of  her 
heart,  a  chamber  with  the  door  closed,  and  the  secret  of 
ingress  known  only  to  herself,  was  enshrined  an  image — • 
the  image  of  Henry  Wellford.  He  was  her  first  love 
and  her  only  lu~«,  and  to  him  would  her  heart  remain 
true  as  the  needle,  even  until  its  last  feeblest  pulsation. 
How  many  an  hour  had  she  brooded  over  the  picture 
of  a  meeting,  which  must  sooner  or  later  take  place,  and 
striven  to  school  her  hear4  into  an  icy  calmness ;  but 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.        179 

never  in  imagination  could  she  compel  the  quick,  throb 
bing  pulses  to  beat  low  and  evenly.  Never  did  she 
unlock  the  door  of  that  secret  chamber,  open  it,  and 
stand  reverently  before  the  enshrined  image,  that  she 
did  not  suffer  from  profound  agitation.  How,  then, 
was  she  to  meet  her  heart's  idol,  face  to  face,  in  utter 
hopelessness,  and  maintain  a  composed  exterior !  We 
may  not  wonder  that  she  grew  faint,  nor  that  her  cheek 
paled,  as  her  eyes  rested  upon  him.  An  electric  con- 
sciousness of  her  position,  and  the  fatal  consequences 
that  might  follow  a  betrayal  of  her  real  feelings,  brought 
back  the  color  to  cheeks  and  brow,  and  restored  the  tire 
of  her  eyes.  To  aid  the  recovery  of  her  self-possession, 
she  turned  her  eyes  from  him,  and  strove  to  forget  the 
changed  face  that  came  upon  her  suddenly,  like  an  ap- 
parition. It  was  some  time  before  she  ventured  to  look 
in  the  direction  where  she  had  first  seen  him. 

Although  frequently  urged  by  his  largely  increasing 
circle  of  friends,  to  go  into  society,  this  was  the  first 
time  that  Wellford  had  been  dragged  from  his  self-im- 
posed, and,  to  most  of  those  who  knew  him,  incompre- 
hensible seclusion.  But  for  the  importunities  of  Mr. 
Lane,  who  disregarded  all  excuses,  he  wcvrid  have  spent 
this  evening  in  his  quiet  home,  instead  of  in  the  agitat- 
ing sphere  of  a  fashionable  party. 

It  so  happened  that,  soon  after  Wellford's  entrance 


180  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

into  the  drawing-rooms,  he  recehed  an  introduction  to 
Fanny  Milnor,  whose  thoughtful,  subd.ied,  and  rather 
retiring  manners,  combined  with  an  agreeable  address, 
gave  him  a  prepossession  in  her  favor.  Change  and 
trial  had  left  their  marks  on  her  also.  He  was  convers- 
ing with  Fanny  when  he  first  became  aware  of  Helen's 
presence.  He  was  remarking  with  more  than  usual 
animation  upon  something  which  she  had  said,  when, 
on  lifting  his  eyes,  he  encountered  those  of  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch. They  were  fixed  upon  him  with  an  intenseness 
that  seemed  like  fascination.  She  seemed  to  be  read- 
ing not  only  his  countenance,  but  his  very  soul;  and, 
while  she  did  so,  betrayed  to  him  the  secret  of  her  own 
heart.  No  oral  language  was  needed  to  tell  him  that 
he  was  still  beloved  ;  and  with  a  devotion  far  greater 
than  he  had  dreamed  of,  in  the  earlier  and  happier 
days,  when  lip-language  falteringly  told  the  story  of 
affection.  For  a  few  moments,  he  was  stunned — bewil- 
dered. Ere  he  recovered  himself,  or  Helen  could  with-* 
draw  her  eyes  from  his,  Fanny's  gaze  took  the  direction 
of  her  companion's,  and  she  too  first  became  aware  of 
the  presence  of  her  uncle's  wife. 

There  was«a  heightened  color  in  the  face  of  Fanny 
Milnor,  when  Wellford  turned  to  her  again,  and  he? 
voice  had  lost  its  steadiness  at  her  next  utterance.  His 
voice  was  also  changed  and  husky.  Both  suddenly  lost 


THE   OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  181 

interest  in  the  subject  on  which  they  had  been  convers  • 
ing  ;  were  less  pointed  in  their  remarks,  and  gradually 
lapsed  into  silence. 

They  were  sitting,  each  busy  with  new  thoughts, 
when  a  young  lady  friend  came  to  the  side  of  Fanny, 
and  said,  in  a  low  voice,  as  she  glanced  across  the 
room, 

"  Have  you  seen  Mrs.  Bullfinch  ?" 
"  Yes,"  was  the  low,  and  seemingly  reluctant  reply. 
"She  makes  quite  a  showy  appearance,"  said  the 
other. 
"  Yes." 

"  I'm  afraid  she's  utterly  heartless,"  was  added. 
"  How  could  you  look  for  anything  else,"  said  Fanny, 
with  a  bitterness  of  tone  that  almost  caused  Wellford 
to  start. 

"  Young  ladies  with  much  heart  don't  usually  enter 
into  marriages  of  this  kind,"  remarked  the  friend. 

"  Heart  has  nothing  to  do  with  it,"  said  Fanny. 
"  None  but  motives  the  most  sordid  could  ever  have 
induced  Helen  Lee  to  marry  my  uncle.  I  told  him  so, 
but  he  would  not  listen  to  me.  He  has  had  good 
cause,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  long  ere  this,  for  a  cor- 
rection of  his  opinions  in  regard  to  her." 

"  Do  they  not  live  happily  together  ?"  inquired  tha 
young  friend. 


1 82  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Happily !  What  a  question  to  ask  !  One  might 
as  soon  expect  repose  on  the  eternal  billows  as  happi- 
ness in  such  a  union.  They  may  tolerate  each  other, 
but  as  for  happiness  ? — it  comes  not  within  the  range 
of  their  experience.  Look  at  Helen's  face." 

The  young  lady  turned  her  eyes  towards  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch. 

"Did  you  know  her  before  her  marriage?"  asked 
Fanny. 

"  I  used  to  sec  her  sometimes,"  was  answered. 

"  Do  you  remember  her  countenance  as  it  was  then !" 

"  Distinctly.  I  used  to  think  it  a  very  sweet,  inno- 
cent face." 

"  Look  at  it  now !" 

"It  is  much  changed,  certainly;  but  is  more  wo- 
manly and  brilliant,  if  I  may  use  the  word.  What 
splendid  eyes !" 

"Their splendor  has  been  acquired  at  too  great  cost." 

"At  what  cost  I" 

"They  shine  not  from  heart-fires,  kindled   by  th 
breath  of  love.     Dead  embers  and  ashes  lie  upon  the 
altar  whereon  she  has  offered  up  her  sacrifices.     Their 
light  comes  from  without, — they  reflect  only  the  glare 
of  a  vain,  weak,  debasing  desire  for  admiration." 

"  You  speak  strongly,"  said  Mr.  Wellford,  now  first 
trusting  himself  in  utterance ;  yet  not  venturing  to  look 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  183 

Fanny  steadily  in  the  face,  lest  he  should  betray  some- 
thing of  what  he  felt.  He  was  now  first  aware  that  his 
companion  was  the  niece  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  of  whose  in- 
•Mguant  withdrawal  from  her  uncle's  house  he  had 
;eard  at  the  time  of  its  occurrence. 

"  I  do,  and  with  reason,"  answered  Fanny. 

"  Mr.  Bullfinch  is  your  uncle  T 

"He  is." 

"  Excuse  me ;  I  was  not  aware  of  this  until  a  mo- 
ment ago.  You  did  not  approve  the  marriage  J" 

"  How  could  I !" 

"  You  knew  Helen  Lee  ?" 

"  She  was  my  teacher." 

"  How  did  you  regard  her  ?" 

"  With  a  respect  and  esteem  amounting  almost  to 
.\ffection." 

"  Upon  what  were  these  based  ?" 

"  On  her  supposed  qualities." 

"  May  not  your  uncle  have  been  as  much  attracted 
by  these  as  you  were  ?" 

"  I  have  tried  not  to  blame  him,"  said  Fanny,  in  a 
low,  troubled  voice,  partly  speaking  to  herself.  "She 
must  have  acted  on  him  with  consummate  art  P 

"  How  often  did  she  visit  your  house  ?"  asked  Well- 
ford,  now  resolved  to  gain  all  possible  information  on  a 
.  ubject  that  hai  been,  to  him,  a  blight  and  a  mystery. 


184  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDB. 

"Twice  a-week." 

"  For  what  purpose  ?" 

"To  give  me  lessons,  according  to  engagement." 

"  Was  your  uncle  at  home  on  these  occasions  i" 

"  Rarely  during  the  earlier  times  of  her  visits ;  but, 
towards  the  last,  quite  frequently." 

"  Did  you  then  see  anything  in  her  manner  towards 
him  that  awakened  suspicion  ?" 

"  Nothing.  The  announcement,  when  finally  made, 
came  upon  me  like  a  thunderbolt.  I  was  utterly  un- 
prepared for  it." 

"  The  art  must  have  been  consummate,  indeed,"  said 
Wellford,  with  an  irony  that  Miss  Milnor  did  not  fail  to 
perceive,  "  if  it  could  win  your  uncle's  regard,  without 
in  the  least  exciting  your  suspicion.  When  and  where 
did  she  act  upon  him  ?  Did  they  meet  except  at  your 
house  ?" 

"  I  know  not.  Nothing  that  occurred  ever  led  mo 
to  think  so.  But,  it  strikes  me,  Mr.  Wellford,"  said 
Fanny,  with  a  frankness  that  his  rather  close  interroga- 
tions fully  warranted,  "  that  your  questions  are  rather 
searching,  and  betray  more  than  an  idle  interest  in  the 
wife  of  my  uncle.  It  is  said  that  she  had  a  lover." 
And  she  turned  her  eyes  full  upon  the  young  man's 
face.  "Did  you  ever  hear  whether  this  were  so  or 
not  r 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BKIDE.  185 

Vainly  Wellford  strove  to  keep  down  the  tell-tale 
blood  that  a  quicker  heart-throb  sent  bounding  up  to 
his  face.  He  was  only  in  part  successful.  Ere  he  could 
frame  a  reply,  they  were  joined  by  two  or  three  friends, 
nd  the  conversation  took  a  new  shape,  much  to  h)6 
relief. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

IT  was  on  this  occasion  that  Mr.  Bullfinch  and  his 
niece  met  for  the  first  time  since  Fanny  turned  from 
him  with  so  stinging  a  rebuke.  As  each  became  con- 
scious of  the  other's  presence,  each  felt  that  a  time  of 
trial  had  come.  Neither  knew  the  exact  feeling  of  the 
other,  nor  how  the  other  would  act.  It  would  not  do 
— each  felt  this — to  meet  without  recognition  ;  and  it 
would  little  comport  with  good  breeding  to  make  any 
marked  exhibition  of  coldness  or  ill-feeling.  As  long  as 
it  could  well  be  done,  each  avoided  the  other ;  but,  at 
last,  they  were  thrown  into  immediate  contact,  and  in 
such  a  way,  that  they  must  act  as  total  strangers,  or 
pass  a  few  words  with  each  other.  Many  eyes  were  on 
them,  and  they  knew  it. 

They  met,  but  not  a  ripple  on  the  surface  was  dis 
covered  even  by  the  closely  observant.  A  few  pleas- 
antly uttered  common-places  passed  between  them,  and 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.  187 

then  they  were  separated  by  the  crowd,  each  to  breathe 
more  freely,  and  with  a  sense  of  relief  that  the  first 
meeting  was  over. 

In  the  mean  time,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  was  drawing  an  ad- 
miring circle  around  her,  and  acting  her  part  with  con 
summate  skill.  In  assuming  a  new  character,  she 
seemed  to  have  become  a  new  creature,  with  new 
powers,  and  a  new  education.  Surprise  and  pleasure 
were  elicited  on  all  sides.  If  there  was,  as  might  natu- 
rally be  expected  from  one  in  her  circumstances,  a  little 
over-acting,  the  defect  was  seen  only  by  a  few.  Most 
of  those  who  were  in  pleased  contact  with  her,  saw  no- 
thing in  the  assumed  character  but  what  was  real.  She 
did  not  force  herself  into  a  prominent  position ;  she  ex- 
hibited nothing  of  boldness ;  did  not  act  so  much  as 
re-act — and  in  no  case  inordinately.  In  a  word,  a 
strongly-grounded  admiration  of  the  woman  soon  came 
to  be  a  prevailing  sentiment,  and  even  Fanny  Milnor, 
who  kept  rigidly  aloof,  yet  maintained  a  close  observa- 
tion, felt  her  prejudices  insensibly  melting  away. 

"What  a  sacrifice !"  "  And  she  the  wife  of  that  old 
man  ?"  "  It  is  inconceivable !"  "  What  could  she  have 
seen  in  him?" 

These,  and  similar  expressions,  passed  occasionally, 
from  lip  to  lip. 

"  I  am  altogether  puzzled,"  said  one. 


188  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  She  is  an  enigma  to  me,"  said  another. 

"  She  is  a  brilliant,  fascinating  woman,"  remarked  a 
third. 

"  There'll  be  a  rich  young  widow  for  somebody  be- 
fore long,"  said  a  fourth,  shrugging  his  shoulders  and 
arching  his  eyebrows.  "  I  rather  think  I  will  defer  my 
matrimonial  speculations  for  a  few  years." 

"  Do  you  think  old  Bullfinch  so  very  rich  ?"  was  re- 
sponded to  this. 

"  I  should  like  to  be  worth  about  half  what  he  is," 
replied  the  first  speaker. 

"  There  is  some  difference  of  opinion  on  this  head. 
His  paper  has  been  hawked  about  rather  freely  for  the 
last  six  months." 

"  That  may  not  be  his  fault." 

"  Though  the  fault  of  his  credit.  Some  of  the  banks, 
I  know,  will  not  touch  it." 

"  You  surprise  me." 

"  What  I  say  is  true,  nevertheless.  I  saw  a  man, 
only  yesterday,  who  had  over  fifteen  "thousand  dollars 
of  his  paper,  which  he  was  offering  at  one-and-quarter 
per  cent." 

"That  looks  a  little  dubious." 

"  So  it  strikes  me.  You  can  wait  for  the  widow  ; 
but,  take  my  advice,  and  don't  build  too  strongly  oo 
the  fortune." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  189 

"  I  don't  know,"  was  returned  with  a  smile,  *  that  I 
could  resist  the  lady's  personal  attractions,  if  they  sur- 
vived to  her  widowhood." 

"  That  may  not  oe  for  these  twenty  years.  Old  Bull- 
finch comes  of  a  long-lived  generation.'' 

"  O  dear  !"  lightly  responded  the  other.  "  We  can't 
have  everything  just  our  own  way.  But,  what  could 
have  possessed  her  to  marry  that  old  man  ?  Not  love, 
certainly." 

"  No,  it  was  money." 

"Then  she  must  be  a  heartless  woman." 

"  Something  is  wrong,  without  doubt.  The  marriage 
is  unnatural,  and  must  have  had  its  origin  in  constraint, 
or  overweening  cupidity.  There  has  been  a  lack  of 
womanly  virtue  somewhere.  Do  you  know  that  the 
niece  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  whom  he  had  raised  almost  as 
his  own  child,  left  the  house  on  the  very  day  she  en- 
tered it,  and  had  not  crossed  the  threshold  since  ?" 

«  No !" 

"  It  is  yet  true." 

"  Who  was  she  T 

"  A  Miss  Milnor  ;  and  she  is  here  to-night" 

"  Ah  !  Can  you  point  her  out  to  me  ?  I  should 
like  to  observe  her  conduct  in  relation  to  them.  It  will 
present  a  fine  study  in  human  nature." 

"  There  she  is  in  conversation  with  Mr.  Wellford." 


190  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Ah  !  That's  the  young  lady.  Well,  there  is  cer- 
tainly a  look  of  spirit  about  her." 

The  two  men  observed,  in  silence,  for  some  moments, 
the  personages  alluded  to.  They  were  in  earnest  con- 
versation. 

"  Did  you  see  that  look  ?"  said  one  of  them  suddenly. 

"What  look  ?"  asked  the  other. 

"  The  look  cast  upon  them  by  Mrs.  Bullfinch." 

"  No."  And,  as  he  spoke,  he  turned  his  eyes  tow- 
ards Helen.  "  There's  something  in  that  I  don't  just 
comprehend,"  he  said,  after  a  brief  observation. 

"  Nor  do  I.  Unless  I  err,  there  was  something  of 
the  fire  of  jealousy  in  her  eyes." 

"  Just  so  I  read  them.  There  !  See  !  She  is  look- 
ing at  them  again.  What  can  it  mean  ?  Ah !  Now 
I  remember  having  heard  something  of  a  lover.  Can 
Wellford  possibly  be  the  man  ?" 

"  Why  should  she  give  him  up  for  an  old  man  like 
Bullfinch  ?  His  worldly  condition,  if  not  quite  so  good 
now,  promises,  in  my  opinion,  to  be  much  the  best. 
You  know  he  is  a  member  of  the  house  of  Lane,  Latta 
<feCo." 

"  I  do.  But  little  more  than  a  year  ago,  he  was  only 
a  clerk  in  that  house.  His  prospects  at  the  tune  Misa 
Lee  was  married,  and  his  prospects  now,  are  very 
different." 


THE    OU)    MAN'S    BRIDR.  191 

"  I  must  know  something  farther  in  regard  to  this 
matter,"  said  the  other.  "  There's  a  new  study  in  hu- 
man nature  here,  at  least,  for  me." 

"  If  you  would  nrobe  the  matter  pretty  effectually,  I 
will  suggest  a  mode  of  procedure,"  remarked  the  friend 

"  Well  r 

"  Are  you  acquainted  with  Mr.  Bullfinch  ?" 

"  I  am  not." 

"  Does  he  know  you  ?" 

The  friend  shook  his  head. 

"  He  is  on  the  side  of  the  room  from  his  wife  just 
now." 

"  So  I  perceive." 

"  As  a  stranger  you  are  not  supposed  to  bb  aware  of 
the  fact,  that  so  beautiful  a  young  creature — a  mere 
girl  as  it  were — holds  to  an  old  man  like  him  the  rela- 
tion of  a  wife." 

"  Go  on.    I  am  all  attention." 

"Approach,  and  enter  into  conversation.  It  will 
then  be  the  easiest  matter  in  the  world  to  make  allu- 
sion to  the  charming  Mrs  Bullfinch." 

"  Ah !  I  take  your  drift.  You  wish  me  to  excite 
his  jealousy  ?" 

"  Make  allusion  to  Wellford.  It  will  be  the  more 
effectual  if  Mrs.  Bullfinch  should  happen  to  cast  upon 


192  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

the  young  gentleman  a  glance  or  two,  sucli  as  we  de- 
tected just  now." 

"  I  understand  my  part  fully,"  was  replied.  "  Thank 
you  for  the  suggestion.  If  I  don't  awaken  a  tempest 
in  at  least  one  mind  to-night,  then  I'm  mistaken." 

"  Take  care  that  you  don't  do  harm,"  said  the  friend, 
in  a  warning  voice. 

"  Harm  !  what  harm  ?" 

"  You  may  destroy  the  peace  of  that  old  man." 

"  Would  it  not  be  a  just  punishment  for  his  wicked- 
ness in  marrying  that  young  creature  ?  What  right 
had  he  to  rob  her  of  her  true  dower  in  life  ?  To  lay  a 
sacrifice  like  that  upon  the  reeking  altar  of  sensuality. 
Hah  !  I  burn  with  indignation  at  the  thought.  If  I 
can  lay  upon  him  a  scorpion  lash,  right  freely  will  I  do 
it." 

"  As  you  choose.  But,  to  my  thinking,  you  are  as- 
suming towards  him,  rather  unadvisedly,  the  joint  office 
of  judge  and  executioner.  In  matters  like  this,  all  are 
free  to  act  as  they  think  best.  Consent  must  precede 
marriage.  His  wife,  therefore,  is  quite  as  much  a  party 
in  this  business  as  himself.  Why  he  alone  should  bo 
punished  for  a  mutual  fault,  is  what  I  do  not  clearly 
comprehend." 

"  I  can't  stop  to  argue  this  matter,"  was  replied. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  193 

"  My  mind  is  already  made  up.  So  now  for  introduc- 
ing my  probe  into  this  festering  sore." 

And,  as  he  said  this,  the  young  man  moved  away 
from  his  friend,  and  was  soon  at  the  side  of  Mr.  Bull- 
finch. In  a  little  while,  with  much  adroitness,  he  suc- 
ceeded in  engaging  the  old  man  in  conversation. 

"  What  a  charming  creature  that  is !"  said  he  break- 
ing in,  witniyell-managed  abruptness,  upon  a  remark 
of  his  companion.  And  he  glanced  towards  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch. 

The  countenance  of  the  latter  became  lit  up  with 
pleasure  in  an  instant ;  but  ere  he  had  time  to  indicate 
the  relationship  in  which  he  stood  towards  her,  the 
young  man  added — 

"  I'm  told  that  she  is  the  wife  of  old  Adam  Bullfinch. 
But,  I  presume,  there  is  a  mistake  in  this." 

"  I  believe  not,"  was  the  rather  grave  answer. 

"  That  Mrs.  Bullfinch  !" 

A  formal  bow  was  the  assenting  reply. 

"  You  surprise  me  !  Well,  I  can  only  spy,  that  I 
admire  the  old  fellow's  taste.  When  I  want  a  wife,  I'll 
get  him  to  look  out  for  me." 

This  rather  familiar  way  of  speaking  about  himself 

and   his  affairs,    made   Mr.  Bullfinch  hesitate  as  to  a 

declaration  of  his   identity.      To   avow   himself  now, 

would  be,  he  felt,  rather  embarrassing.     lie,  therefore, 

9 


194  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDB. 

determined  to  let  his  companion  talk  on  in  supposed 
ignorance  as  to  the  true  personality  of  his  auditor.  He 
merely  remarked — 

u  Mrs.  Bullfinch  is  certainly  a  charming  woman." 

"  Oh,  delightful !  If  I  were  her  husband  I  should 
feel  strongly  inclined  to  cage  her  up  at  home.  Why, 
half  the  men  here  are  in  love  with  her  already." 

The  arrow  had  struck.  A  cloud  fell  instantly  on  the 
brow  o  Mr.  Bullfinch. 

"  She  had  a  lover,  I'm  told,"  was  the  next  remark 
"  I  wonder  if  there  is  any  truth  in  it.  Some  one  said 
he  was  here  to-night." 

The  old  man's  eyes  turned  instantly  towards  WelL 
ford. 

"  There  !  Did  you  see  that  look  ?"  said  his  compan- 
ion, touching  familiarly  the  old  man's  arm. 

"What  look?" 

"  The  look  Mrs.  Bullfinch  cast  on  Mr.  Wellford,  who 
is  in  earnest  conversation  with  that  young  lady — said 
to  be  the  niece  of  her  husband,  and  to  have  left  his 
house  indignantly  on  the  very  night  of  their  marriage." 

The  eyes  of  Mr.  Bullfinch  were  instantly  fixed  upon 
his  wife,  who  was  regarding  the  two  persons  just  men- 
tioned, with  the  peculiar  look  before  described.  Well 
might  he  take  the  alarm.  Such  a  look  never  rested 
upon  a  man  in  whom  the  heart  had  no  interest 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  185 

"  Wellford  is  the  man  ;  I'll  wager  a  kingdom  of  it  f* 
said  the  evil  genius  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  triumphantly. 

The  old  man  started,  as  if  stung  by  a  serpent- 
Thrown  off  of  his  guard,  he  said,  in  alow,  angry  voice — 

"  "Who  are  you,  sir,  that  dares  to  trifle  with  me  after 
this  fashion !" 

The  young  man  instantly  shrunk  away,  and  retiring 
to  another  part  of  the  drawing-rooms,  spent  the  rest  of 
the  evening  in  observing  the  result  of  his  evil  handy- 
work. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

NOT  until  this  unlooked-for  meeting  with  Henry 
Wellford,  did  Helen  fully  comprehend  the  nature  of  the 
passion  with  which  she  loved  him.  As  we  have  said, 
his  image  lay  enshrined  far  away,  in  the  most  sacred 
recesses  of  her  heart ;  not  dust-covered,  nor  dimmed 
with  gathering  mould,  yet  as  she  had  believed,  forever 
hidden  from  the  light.  An  image,  before  which,  if  her 
spirit  sometimes  bowed  in  its  weakness,  it  bowed  with 
a  consciousness  of  sin,  and,  in  bowing,  prayed  to 
Heaven  for  strength  ever  to  stand  upright. 

Now  that  she  had  looked  upon  his  living  face  for  the 
first  time  since  their  last  sad  meeting  in  the  street,  she 
felt  that  she  was  unequal  to  the  trial.  More  than  an 
hour  had  glided  away  since  her  eyes  rested  upon  him, 
and  from  that  time,  while  she  compelled  herself  to  act 
«ven  more  skilfully,  than  at  first,  her  part,  eyer  and 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  107 

anon,  her  glances  would  go  searching  after  him,  and 
when  descried,  linger  on  his  form  for  moments,  as  if  she 
were  spell-bound.  A  strange  feeling,  almost  suffocating 
in  its  intensity,  seized  upon  the  unhappy  woman,  when 
she  saw  that  Wellford  remained  by  the  side  of  Fanny 
Milnor,  much  of  the  time  engaged  in  earnest  conversa- 
tion. Was  it  a  spirit  of  jealousy  that,  constricting  her 
chest,  gave  to  respiration  a  quickened  impulse  ? — or,  did 
she  shrink  from  the  personal  detraction  of  herself, 
which  she  had  good  reason  to  believe  would  be  poured 
into  the  ear  of  her  former  lover  ! 

However  this  might  be,  the  good  understanding  and 
mutual  interest  which  seemed  to  exist  between  Wellford 
and  Fanny  Milnor,  were  to  her  a  source  of  most  exquisite 
pain.  Yet  for  all  this,  she  hid  beneath  the  garment  of 
a  well-assumed  exterior,  the  fox  that  was  tearing  her 
very  vitals.  A  few,  more  observant  than  the  rest,  no- 
ticed occasionally  the  manner  in  which  she  regarded 
these  two  persons  ;  but  no  one  dreamed  of  the  agony 
that  was  veiled  by  her  winning  smiles,  or  concealed  un- 
der the  buoyant  tones  of  her  rich  mellow  voice.  Wha^ 
a  task  had  she  imposed  upon  herself !  The  only  won- 
der is  that  she  was  able  to  sustain  her  part. 

An  hour  had  glided  away  since  she  became  aware  of 
Wellford's  presence ;  and  now,  for  the  first  time,  she 
found  herself  about  coming  into  immediate  personal 


198  THE    OLD    MAN  8    BRIDE. 

contact  with  him,  This  was  not  accidental,  but  from 
design  on  his  part,  as  she  plainly  saw.  A  gentleman 
with  whom  she  had  been  conversing  had  just  left  her 
side,  and  she  was  sitting  alone.  This  opportunity 
Wellford  seized  for  the  renewal  of  an  acquaintance, 
broken  off  under  such  painful  circumstances,  nearly  two 
years  before.  As  he  approached  her,  the  heart  of 
Helen  fluttered,  and  then  grew  still,  as  if  overpowering 
emotions  were  actually  about  extinguishing  her  life. 
He  bowed  with  considerable  formality,  and  showed  an 
embarrassed  manner. 

"  I  am  pleased  to  meet  you  again,"  said  he,  with  less 
steadiness  of  voice  than  he  had  hoped  to  maintain. 

The  lips  of  Helen  moved,  but  no  words  came  there- 
from. There  was  a  welcome,  however,  in  her  eyes ; 
and  Wellford  failed  not  to  see  this.  He  sat  down  by 
her,  forced  a  smile  to  conceal  the  real  agitation  he  felt, 
and  made  some  common-place  remark,  to  which  she 
now  found  voice  to  reply.  How  soon  each  would  have 
regained  an  easy  self-possession,  we  cannot  say.  A 
third  party  joined  them  almost  immediately — the  hus- 
band of  Helen. 

The  two  men,  who  had  met  in  business  circles,  and 
had  a  slight  business  acquaintance,  bowed  formally,  as 
each  gave  utterance  to  the  other's  name.  It  was  at 
once  apparent  to  Wellford,  that  the  old  man  was  dis- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  199 

turbed  from  some  cause ;  and  he  did  not  fail  to  observe, 
that  with  a  singular  want  of  good  breeding,  he  seated 
himself  on  the  narrow  portion  of  the  sofa  that  inter 
vened  between  him  and  Helen. 

A  few  unimportant  remarks  were  made  by  Wellford, 
to  which  Mr.  Bullfinch  gave  constrained  answers. 
Perceiving  that  his  presence  was,  from  some  cause,  dis- 
agreeable, the  former  soon  retired  to  a  distant  part  of 
the  room,  and  from  an  unnoted  point  of  observation, 
saw  that  sharp  words  were  passing  between  the  young 
wife  and  her  husband.  Another  might  not  thus  have 
interpreted  the  manner  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bullfinch ;  but 
his  knowledge  of  the  past,  as  well  as  his  peculiar  state 
of  mind,  gave  to  Wellford  a  more  than  ordinary  keen- 
ness of  vision. 

"  Did  you  see  that  ?"  said  the  young  man,  who  had 
so  unwisely,  and,  we  might  say,  wickedly,  awakened  in 
the  breast  of  Mr.  Bullfinch  the  spirit  of  jealousy.  He 
addressed  the  friend  with  whom  a  previous  conversation 
had  been  held. 

"  See  what  ?"  asked  the  other. 

"  Mr.  Wellford,  only  a  moment  ago,  took  a  seat  near 
Mrs.  Bullfinch ;  but,  scarcely  had  they  entered  into 
conversation,  ere  the  old  man  came  up  and  coolly  thrust 
himself  between  them." 

u  Indeed  I" 


2uO  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"That  tells  the  story,  doesn't  it?" 

"  What  story  ?" 

"  Of  a  young  lover  and  a  jealous  old  husband.  I 
thought  there  was  something  peculiar  in  the  way  Mrs. 
Bullfinch  looked  at  Wellford,  when  he  sat  talking 
so  earnestly  with  her  husband's  niece." 

"  You  seein  to  take  a  singular  interest  in  their  affairs," 
said  his  friend — "  an  evil  interest,  I  am  afraid.  Pardon 
me  for  plain  speaking." 

"  I'm  a  student  of  human  nature  you  know,  and  this 
is  one  of  its  phases." 

"  It  is  one  thing  to  study  human  nature,  and  another 
to  mar  its  beauty.  I'm  afraid  the  lover  was  more  in 
your  imagination  than  anywhere  else,  and  that  all  the 
cause  for  jealousy  that  exists,  you  created.  This  is 
hardly  to  be  justified  on  any  plea." 

"  Oh,  as  to  that,"  was  replied  with  indifference,  "  I 
act  pretty  much  as  fancy  prompts.  As  for  self-justifica- 
tion, I  rarely  give  it  a  thought." 

"  Some  people  would  say,"  remarked  the  friend,  half 
seriously  and  half  in  earnest,  "  that  you  had  either  a 
wrong  head  or  a  bad  heart." 

"  People  will  say  almost  any  thing  that  suits  their 
fancy.  For  one,  I  never  give  much  heed  to  the  opin- 
ions of  others  regarding  myself.  The  worst  is  usually 
judged  of  our  actions.  I  seek  compensation  for  these 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  201 

things  in  saying  and  doing  pretty  much  as  I  list;  and 
I  presume  the  world  thinks  quite  as  well  of  me  as  if  I 
were  guarded  about  the  effect  of  my  words,  and 
over  nice  as  to  the  consequences  of  my  actions." 

"There  is  something  more  to  be  desired  than  the 
world's  opinion." 
So  I  think." 

u  Our  own  self-respect,  and  consciousness  of  right 
actions." 

The  other  merely  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  If  we  can  do  no  good,  let  us  do  no  harm.  The 
casting  of  an  evil  seed  may  seem  a  light  thing ;  but, 
the  small  acorn  becomes,  in  time,  a  giant  oak.  Think 
of  this.  You  have,  carelessly,  sown  a  seed  of  jealousy 
in  the  mind  of  Mr.  Bullfinch.  Already  it  has  germi- 
nated. The  fruit,  which  must  be  eaten,  will  be  bitter 
to  the  taste  ;  nay,  may  poison  the  whole  system.  Will 
it  add  any  thing  to  your  pleasure  in  life  to  know  that 
you  have  made  others  inconceivably  wretched  ?  I 
should  think  not." 

'•  You  make  a  serious  matter  of  my  little  pleasan 
annoyance  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,"  said  the  other,  in  a  slightly 
changed  tone. 

"  If  I  err  not,  it  will  prove  more  than  a  pleasant  an- 
noyance to  the  old  gentleman  and  his  young  wife.  The 
passion  of  jealousy,  when  once  excited,  rarely  burns  out 


202  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

It  makes  fuel  of  every  thing  within  its  reach.  Eve* 
suspicious,  and  prone  to  misjudge,  it  becomes  insatiate 
and  cruel.  Ah!  I  fear  you  have  put  thorns  in  the 
already  uncomfortable  pillow  on  which  the  head  of  that 
young  wife  uneasily  reposes." 

"  Oh,  dear  !  Don't  grow  sentimental,"  was  replied, 
with  forced  levity.  "  Her  pillow  is  soft  enough,  I'll 
warrant  you.  She'll  sleep  sound  for  all  the  thorns  my 
hands  have  planted." 

As  this  was  said,  the  piano,  which  had  been  silent  for 
some  time,  was  touched  by  softly  falling  fingers,  and,  in 
a  moment  after,  a  clear,  sweet,  mellow  voice  arose  and 
filled  the  room. 

"  Ah  1  who  is  that  ? "  remarked  one  of  the  young 
men. 

"  It's  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  as  I  live,"  said  the  other,  as  he 
moved  half  involuntarily  towards  the  instrument. 

There  was  an  instant  hush  throughout  the  crowded 
and  buzzing  drawing-rooms.  Every  ear  seemed  pene- 
trated with  the  unexpected  melody.  Several  brilliant 
performers  had,  from  time  to  time,  during  the  evening, 
executed  some  of  their  best  pieces  ;  but,  they  had 
played  only  to  a  narrow,  music-loving  circle,  while  most 
of  those  present  were  rather  annoyed  than  otherwise  at 
the  loud,  incessant  thrumming,  which  made  conversa- 
tion an  effort.  But  now,  an  involuntary  attention  was 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  203 

awarded  by  all,  and  soon  there  was  a  crowd  around  the 
piano. 

Piece  after  piece  was  played  and  sung,  in  accordance 
with  the  requests  or  suggestions  of  those  who  gathered 
near  the  singer.  Yet,  all  the  while,  Mrs.  Bullfinch 
played  for  the  ear  of  only  one — though  he  never  asked 
for  a  song,  nor  even  made  one  of  the  delighted  group 
that  clustered  around  her.  It  was  not  that  she  designed 
to  play  for  Wellford ;  she  could  not  help  it.  With 
every  note  she  struck,  every  skilful  modulation  of  her 
voice,  every  expression  that  was  breathed  forth,  went 
also  a  thought  as  to  how  his  ear  would  be  effected ! 
And  so  entirely  was  this  the  case,  that  it  totally  ob- 
scured her  consciousness  of  the  fact.  She  played  for 
her  old  lover,  yet  knew  it  not. 

Never  had  the  old  man  been  so  struck  with  the 
charms  of  his  young  wife  as  now.  Never  had  he  ob- 
served such  a  witchery  in  her  voice.  How  proud  of 
her  he  felt !  Yet,  with  this  pride,  was  a  feeling  of  un- 
easiness not  before  experienced.  The  seed  of  jealousy 
was  in  his  heart ;  it  had  already  quickened  into  life, 
and  was  sending  down  its  sharp,  piercing  rootlets.  In 
the  eyes  of  those  who  looked  on  her,  his  newly  ac- 
quired vision  perceived  something  deeper  than  mere 
admiration  ;  and  when  he  saw  a  gay,  handsome  young 
man,  bending  to  her  ear,  and  speaking  in  tones  so  low 


204        THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

that  he  could  not  hear  them,  suspicion  imagined  the 
words-  that  were  uttered,  and  troubled  the  waters  of  hia 
spirit  to  their  deepest  depths. 

"  The  fact  that  Wellford  did  not  join  the  listeners 
who  had  gathered  around  the  piano,  was  not  unobserved 
by  Mr.  Bullfinch.  The  meaning  of  this  he  interpreted 
in  his  own  way,  and  made  it  the  aliment  on  which  to 
feed  his  jealousy 

At  last  Helen  retired  from  the  piano,  receiving,  as 
she  did  so,  thanks  and  compliments  from  many  voices, 
and  accompanied  by  one  or  two  young  gentlemen,  who 
were  completely  charmed  with  her.  Mr.  Bullfinch  tried 
to  get  between  these  and  his  wife,  as  the  latter  was 
handed  to  a  seat.  The  effort  did  not  prove  so  success- 
ful as  in  the  case  of  Wellford.  But  he  remained  stand- 
ing near,  unconscious  that,  in  countenance  and  manner, 
he  was  betraying  to  all  eyes  the  real  state  of  his  mind. 

Nor  was  this  state  rendered  any  the  more  endurable 
by  parts  of  sentences,  over-loudly  spoken  or  whispered, 
that  reached  his  ears,  such  as — 

"  She's  a  charming  creature.!"  "  Old  Bullfinch  had 
Better  cage  her  up  at  home."  "  Somebody '11  run  off 
with  her  before  a  year."  "  The  maudlin  old  fellow  I 
how'  she  must  despise  him !"  "  She  can't  love  him." 
"  A  chattel,  bought  with  gold." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  205 

At  an  early  hour  Mr.  Bullfinch  suggested  to  his  wife 
that  it  was  time  for  her  then  to  return  home. 

"  It  is  only  twelve,"  said  she,  in  reply,  "  and  the  car- 
riage was  not  ordered  until  two." 

"  Two — two — so  late  as  that  ?"  he  answered,  in  a 
confused  manner,  "  I  had  forgotten." 

Cotillions  were  now  forming,  and  a  young  gentle- 
man, whose  attentions  to  Helen  had  not  escaped  the 
keen  eyes  of  her  husband,  pressed  forward,  and  asked 
if  she  would  dance  with  him. 

A  graceful  assent  was  given,  and  the  couple  took 
tneir  places  on  the  floor. 

An  ill-concealed  gesture  of  impatience  marked  the 
effect  of  this  upon  Mr.  Bullfinch,  who,  with  a  length- 
ened visage  and  contracted  brow,  took  his  place, 
moodily,  among  those  who  were  too  old,  or  disinclined, 
to  dance. 

Set  after  set  were  formed ;  in  each  of  these,  always 
with  a  new  partner,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  was  to  be  found. 
With  color  warm  from  exercise,  and  eyes  glittering 
with  excitement,  she  looked  as  happy  as  she  was  beau- 
tiful. None  noticed,  as  she  went  circling  through  the 
mazy  evolutions,  her  quick  glance  thrown,  ever  and 
anon,  towards  a  point  in  the  room,  where,  in  close  con- 
versation, sat  Henry  Wellford  and  Fanny  Milnor. 
Only  once  during  the  evening,  had  she  been  thrown 


206  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

into  the  immediate  company  of  Fanny,  when  they  met 
as  strangers. 

Nothing  more  dramatic  than  the  incidents  we  have 
chronicled,  took  place  during  that  evening.  Once  again 
Helen  and  Wellford  met  and  exchanged  a  few  words ; 
but,  in  doing  so,  there  was  no  betrayal  of  feeling  on 
either  side.  At  two  o'clock,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bullfinch 
retired ;  each  with  sharper  thorns  in  the  pillows  upon 
•which  their  heads  were  to  recline  hereafter. 

In  Helen's  Book  of  Life,  a  new  leaf  had  been  turned ; 
and,  as  she  brooded  over  the  yet  unwritten  page,  her 
heart  trembled  at  thought  of  the  probable  record.  She 
had  tasted  a  new  cup — the  sweet  and  bitter  exquisitely 
mingled — and  she  felt  that  she  was  destined  to  drink  it 
to  the  very  drega. 

"  It  was  no  seeking  of  mine,''  said  she,  gloomily,  to 
herself,  as  she  pondered  the  future.  "The  conse- 
quences rest  with  those  who  dragged  me  into  a  position 
fraught  with  trials  and  temptations  beyond  my  power 
to  sustain  or  resist.  But  the  step  has  been  taken,  and 
I  must  now  press  onward  in  the  new  and  dangerous 
path  that  opens  before  me.  I  have  pride  enough  to 
enable  me  at  least  to  tread  it  boldly.  No  one  must 
see  a  step  falter — and  no  one  shall  /" 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

IT  was  mentioned  in  a  previous  chapter  that  sharp 
words  had  passed  between  Mr.  Bullfinch  and  his  wife, 
while  at  Mr.  Lane's  party,  occasioned  by  the  renewal  of 
intercourse  between  the  latter  and  Mr.  Wellford.  Such, 
at  least,  was  the  young  man's  inference,  and  he  did  not 
err.  Excited  by  the  rude  conduct  of  her  husband,  the 
moment  Mr.  Wellford  retired,  Helen  said  to  him, 
warmly  though  in  a  low  tone, 

"  I  don't  understand  you,  Mr.  Bullfinch  I  What  is 
the  meaning  of  this  ?" 

"  The  meaning  is,"  was  quite  as  warmly  answered, 
"  that  I  do  not  wish  you  to  hold  any  intercourse  with 
that  person." 

"  Why  not,  pray  ?" 

"  I  have  good  and  sufficient  reasons,  Madam,"  said 
the  old  man. 

"They  must  be  good  and  sufficient  tome,  before 


208  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

I  act  from  them,"  replied  Helen,  firmly.  "  What 
have  you  against  him  ?" 

"  It  should  be  enough  for  a  wife,  that  her  husband 
objects  to  her  being  on  terms  of  intimacy  with  a  parti- 
cular man." 

"  It  is  not  enough  for  me,  at  least,  said  Helen.  If 
you  know  anything  wrong  of  Mr.  Wellford,  say  so." 

Beyond  this,  nothing  further  had  passed  between 
them  on  the  subject,  at  the  time  ;  others  were  too  near 
to  render  a  continuance  of  such  a  conversation  at  all 
prudent. 

The  uneasiness  of  Mr.  Bullfinch  during  the  evening, 
and  his  broad  exposure  of  the  jealousy  which  had  taken 
possession  of  him,  did  not  escape  the  observation  of 
Helen.  It  produced  in  her  mind  a  strange  blending  of 
emotions ;  among  which  were  mortification  at  his 
obtrusive  weakness,  mingled  with  a  flutter. of  triumph. 
She,  in  no  degree,  pitied  his  suffering,  but  felt  like 
adding  thereto  by  acts  that  would  increase,  rather  than 
allay,  the  suspicions  that  were  fretting  him.  Not  that 
there  was  any  guilty  purpose  in  her  mind — she  was  too 
pure  for  that ;  but  a  certain  perverseness,  born  of  unna- 
tural and  constrained  relations,  was  beginning  to  influ- 
ence her. 

Mrs.  Bullfinch  at  Mr.  Lane's,  and  Mrs.  Bullfinch 
immediately  on  her  arrival  at  home,  was  another  person 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.  209 

altogether.  A  stranger  could  scarcely  be  made  to 
believe  that  the  wearied-looking,  silent,  almost  sullen 
woman,  who  sat,  half  unrobed,  one  glove  on  the  floor, 
and  the  other  partly  drawn — her  hood  tossed  upon  the 
bed,  and  her  elegant  shawl  just  falling  from  the  back 
of  a  chair  where  she  had  thrown  it,  with  an  indifference 
amounting  almost  to  contempt — was  the  same  with  the 
brilliant,  beautiful,  fascinating  creature,  who  had  been 
for  hours  the  centre  of  an  admiring  circle. 

"  You  have  met  Mr.  Wellford  before,  I  believe," 
said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  breaking  in  upon  a  state  of  mind  in 
his  wife,  that  it  would  have  been  far  wiser  for  him  had 
he  left  undisturbed — at  least  by  such  a  remark.  It 
was  thus  that  he  renewed  the  subject  now  nearest  to 
his  heart,  a  subject  which  the  presence  of  others  had 
interrupted  a  little  while  before,  and  which  had  not 
since  been  a  moment  absent  from  his  thoughts. 

Helen  raised  her  eyes  quickly,  and  with  a  slight  start, 
fixed  them,  in  a  steady,  half-frowning  glance  upon  her 
husband.  In  no  other  way  did  she  answer  his  remark. 
A  few  moments  she  continued  to  look  at  him,  and  then 
her  eyes  drooped  to  the  floor  again,  and  her  mind  fell 
back  into  reverie. 

"Helen!" 

The  wife  looked  up  again. 

"  You  might  at  least  reply  to  my  question.  Com* 
18* 


210  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIBE. 

rnon  politeness,  if  no  higher  feeling,  should  prompt  to 
this,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  with  ill-concealed  excitement 
of  feeling. 

"  What  was  your  question  ?"  asked  Helen,  again 
looking  up,  and  now  speaking  with  a  coldness  of  tone 
that  was  almost  chilling. 

"  It  was  in  reference  to  Mr.  Wellford.  I  said  that 
you  had  met  him  before." 

"  In  that  you  said  truly,"  was  the  frigid  answer. 

The  whole  mind  of  Mr.  Bullfinch  was  now  inflamed. 
It  was  with  difficulty  that  he  could  restrain  an  outbreak 
of  feeling,  or  school  his  voice  into  anything  like  calm- 
ness of  utterance. 

"He  is  an  old  acquaintance,  I  believe,"  he  next 
remarked. 

"  He  is,"  was  the  composed  response. 

"  Well,  I  now  repeat  what  I  said  at  Mr.  Lane's." 

"And  I  repeat  the  answer  then  given,"  replied 
Helen.  Her  voice  had  in  it  not  the  least  perceptible 
weaknesa 

«  Helen  P» 

"Sir!" 

The  whole  manner  of  both  husband  and  wife  under- 
went a  sudden  change. 

"  You  muat  be  to  that  man  as  a  stranger  from  this 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  211 

day  henceforth  !"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  speaking  with  an 
angry  vehemence  that  it  was  impossible  to  restrain. 

"  This  is  your  command,  I  suppose,"  retorted  Helen, 
with  a  proud,  defiant  air,  that  showed  a  will  fully 
equal  to  the  emergency. 

"  It  is  my  command,  if  you  will,"  said  the  old  man, 
speaking  with  undiminished  warmth. 

"I  am  your  wife  and  equal,"  replied  Helen,  her 
former  coolness  of  manner  returning ;  "  not  your  slave. 
If  you  expect  to  influence  my  conduct,  you  have  got  to 
use  reason,  not  command." 

"  Then,  Madam,"  said  the  old  man,  calming  down  a 
little,  and  speaking  with  mock  deference,  "  I  desire  you 
not  to  hold  intercourse  with  this  gentleman  in  future." 

"  A  desire  will  have  no  more  influence  with  me  than 
a  command,  unless  accompanied  by  a  reason.  Do  you 
know  anything  wrong  of  Mr.  Wellford  ?" 

"  He  is  not  the  man  for  you  to  associate  with." 

"Why?" 

There  was  more  of  interest  in  her  voice  than  Helen 
wished  to  betray. 

"  Is  it  not  enough  for  you  that  such  is  my  impression 
of  the  man  ?" 

"  No,  Mr.  Bullfinch,  it  is  not  enough  for  me,"  was 
answered.  "  He  is  an  old  and  valued  acquaintance  ; 
and,  until  now,  not  a  whisper  against  him  has  ever 


212  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

reached  my  ears.  To  say  to  me  that  we  must  here- 
after be  strangers,  and  this  without  any  assignment  of  a 
single  reason,  does  not  satisfy  me." 

"  He  is  a  bad  man  !"  exclaimed  Mr.  Bullfinch  ;  his 
strong  excitement  returning. 

But  the  assertion  did  not,  to  all  external  appear- 
ances, in  the  least  move  his  wife. 

"  A  designing,  bad  man,"  repeated  Mr.  Bullfinch. 

"  It  will  be  wisest  to  drop  this  subject,"  said  Helen, 
with  a  coldness  that  contrasted  strongly  with  the  pas- 
sionate manner  of  her  husband.  "  It  seems  to  involve 
a  poor  suspicion  of  your  wife,  as  weak  as  it  is  unworthy 
of  you.  You  have  committed  an  error,  sir,  that  it  may 
be  difficult  to  repair.  I  did  not  wish  to  go  to  this 
party.  I  would  have  been  happier  at  home  ;  but  you 
dragged  me  there  against  my  will.  It  would  have  ill 
become  me,  as  your  wife,  to  carry  into  such  a  company 
a  clouded  brow,  or  to  have  failed  in  doing  my  part 
towards  the  general  enjoyment  of  the  evening.  I, 
therefore,  as  best  I  could,  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the 
hour ;  when,  strange  to  say,  you  insulted  our  enter- 
tainer by  a  rudeness  towards  a  guest  who  was  polite  to 
me,  that  nothing  can  justify ;  and  now,  add  to  your 
tault  by  demanding  the  surrender  of  an  acquaintance 
partially  renewed  after  the  lapse  of  nearly  two  years. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  213 

You  have,  I  repeat,  committed  an  error,  Mr.  Bullfinch, 
that  it  may  be  difficult  to  repair." 

In  more  than  one  contest  with  his  wife,  Mr.  Bullfinch 
had  come  off  far  from  victorious  ;  and  the  result  was  in 
no  way  different  on  the  present  occasion.  There  was, 
to  his  ear,  a  threat  involved  in  the  closing  sentence  of 
his  wife,  that  slightly  troubled,  and  caused  him  to 
regret  having  so  unguardedly  betrayed  his  awakening 
suspicions.  He  made  no  reply ;  and  both  soon  re- 
lapsed into  moody  and  abstracted  silence. 

Scarcely  a  week  passed,  ere  invitations  were  received 
for  another  large  and  fashionable  party. 

"  What  is  this  ?"  asked  Mr.  Bullfinch,  when  the  com- 
plimentary note  was  handed  to  him  by  his  wife. 

"  Read  it,"  said  she. 

The  old  man's  countenance  did  not  brighten  as  his 
eye  took  in  the  contents. 

"  Do  you  think  of  going  ?"  said  he. 

"  Certainly  I  do,"  was  the  prompt  reply. 

Mr.  Bullfinch  did  not  look  very  happy. 

"Consult  your  own  feelings  about  the  matter,"  said 
he.  "  If  you  would  prefer  remaining  at  home,  I  shall 
be  content.  Don't  go,  therefore,  simply  on  my 
account." 

"  I  thought,"  remarked  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  a  h'ttle  mali- 
ciously, we  are  sorry  to  say,  "  that  you  always  enjoyed 


214  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

society.  I  am  sure  such  has  been  your  unvarying 
declaration.  Heretofore  I  have,  I  confess,  been  unjust  to 
you  in  this  respect.  All  my  preferences  were  for  retire- 
ment— even  seclusion.  But,  I  have  learned  to  over- 
come this  weakness.  It  is  not  good  for  me.  We  are 
social  beings,  and  only  in  mingling  with  each  other 
socially  can  we  hope  to  maintain  a  cheerful  mind." 

"  True ;  very  true,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch.  His  assent 
was  not  made  with  any  heartiness  ;  and  he  added, 
"  But  there  is. always  danger  of  carrying  things  too  far. 
All  pleasure  tends  to  excess." 

"  Two  parties,  in  a  season,  can  hardly  be  called  tak- 
ing pleasure  to  excess  !"  replied  Helen,  in  a  way  that 
left  little  room  for  dissent  on  the  part  of  her  husband. 

"  No — no — of  course  not.  Though  two  fashionable 
parties  in  the  space  of  a  single  week  might  be  thought 
rather  verging  on  to  dissipation,"  was  her  husband's  an- 
swer. 

Little  more  was  said  on  the  subject,  until  Helen  asked 
for  fifty  dollars.  Now,  it  so  happened,  that  on  the 
very  day  this  request  was  made,  Mr.  Bullfinch  had  a 
large  amount  of  money  to  pay,  while  the  sources  from 
which  it  was  to  come  were  by  no  means  as  apparent  as 
he  could  wish  them.  In  fact,  the  difficulty  of  making 
his  payments  in  bank  had  been  on  the  increase  for 
•some  time,  and  he  was,  naturally  enough,  rathei 


THE   OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  215 

troubled  on  this  account.  His  thoughts  were  busy 
with  the  ways  and  means  of  raising  some  ten  thousand 
dollars,  when  his  wife  said  to  him,  as  he  was  about 
leaving  the  house,  on  the  morning  after  the  invitations 
just  referred  to  were  received — 

"  I  want  fifty  dollars,  Mr.  Bullfinch.  Will  you  send 
it  to  me  in  the  course  of  an  hour  ?" 

"  I  can't  do  it  to-day,"  was  replied. 

"  Oh,  but  I  must  have  it  this  morning,"  said  Helen. 

"  Is  your  want  so  very  pressing,  Helen  ?"  was  coldly 
inquired. 

"Indeed,  it  is.  I  must  get  a  new  dress  for  the 
party  at  Mrs.  Levering's ;  and  there  is  no  time  to  be 
lost.  Unless  I  get  it  into  the  hands  of  the  mantua- 
maker,  to-day,  there  will  be  danger  of  disappointment." 

"  A  new  dress,  Helen !"  said  the  old  man,  a  little  sur- 
prised. "  Where  is  the  one  that  was  worn  at  Mr. 
Lane's  ?  You  could  not  find  anything  more  be- 
coming." 

tt  Why,  Mr.  Bullfinch  !  Would  you  have  me  go  to 
two  successive  parties  in  the  same  dress  ?" 

"  And  why  not,  pray  ?" 

"  People  would  think  I  hadn't  but  a  single  dress  fit 
to  appear  in.  You  would  hardly  like  that  thought, 
much  less  said." 

The  old  man  was  thrown  altogether  aback  by  thi» 


216  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

unexpected,  and,  in  his  case,  rather  unanswerable  argu> 
ment. 

"  Won't  the  money  do  as  well  to-morrow  ?"  said  he^ 
after  musing  for  a  little  while. 

"  Oh,  no !"  promptly  answered  Helen.  "  I  must  buy 
the  dress  this  morning,  so  as  to  be  certain  of  having  it 
made  up  in  time." 

"  Very  well ;  I  will  see  about  it,"  replied  Mr.  Bull- 
finch, and  then  hurried  away  to  his  store,  there  to  de- 
vise the  ways  and  means  for  meeting  the  heavy  liabili- 
ties which  had  fallen  due. 

See  about  it !  In  no  case,  before,  had  Mr.  Bullfinch 
thus  replied  to  his  wife's  applications  for  money,  which, 
\re  will  say,  had  never  been  very  extravagant.  She  did 
not  attribute  his  reluctance  to  supply  her  demand  to 
the  true  cause,  for  of  that  she  had  no  suspicion.  Sho 
gave  it  a  different  explanation  altogether.  It  arose,  in 
her  view,  from  a  desire  on  his  part  to  diminish,  if  pos- 
sible, the  personal  attractions  of  which,  a  short  time  be- 
fore, he  had  been  so  proud  ;  and  this  view  determined 
her  to  increase  these  attractions. 

•  The  day  proved,  to  Mr.  Bullfinch,  one  of  anxiety  and 
great  trial — a  day  in  mercantile  life  that  makes  an  im- 
pression on  the  mind  rarely,  if  ever,  forgotten.  Up  to 
one  o'clock,  he  was  on  the  street,  in  the  effort  to  raise 
money,  or  in  his  counting-room,  devising  ways  and 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  217 

means  for  the  same  purpose ;  and  it  was  not  until  after 
this  hour  that  he  began  to  breathe  at  all  freely.  Mer- 
chants, who  had  heretofore  given  him  the  usual  tem- 
porary loans  with  the  utmost  readiness,  were  now  all, 
strangely  enough,  short  of  money.  His  bank,  from 
which  he  had  enjoyed  a  fair  line  of  discounts,  had,  this 
morning,  thrown  out  notes  of  hand  for  over  five  thou- 
sand dollars  ;  an  event  entirely  unlocked  for,  and  which 
added  very  seriously  to  the  difficulty  under  which  he 
was  laboring. 

As  a  last  resort,  he  was  obliged  to  raise  a  considera- 
ole  sum  of  money  at  an  exorbitant  rate  of  discount. 

It  was  nearly  three  o'clock  when  his  last  note  was 
taken  out  of  bank,  and  then,  in  no  comfortable  state, 
he  turned  his  steps  homeward.  Not  since  he  entered 
his  store,  had  a  thought  of  the  fifty  dollars,  required  by 
his  wife,  crossed  his  mind;  and,  it  may  be  doubted 
whether,  if  it  had  done  so,  the  sum  would  have  been 
despatched  to  meet  her  want.  The  pressure  of  busi- 
ness needs  for  money  would,  in  all  probability,  have 

reed  that  matter  aside. 

Not  until  Mr.  Bullfinch  was  in  the  act  of  entering  his 
house,  did  he  remember  the  omission ;  and  then  it 
flashed  upon  him  with  a  presentiment  of  trouble.  He 
doubted  not  that  a  clouded  brow  would  meet  him  on 

his  entrance,  and  he  was  not  mistaken. 
10 


218  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"I  declare,  Helen,"  said  he,  and  he  SjSoke  in  a  per- 
plexed, half-troubled  manner,  "  I  entirely  forgot  about 
the  money  you  asked  for.  In  fact,  I  have  had  a  very 
busy  day  of  it,  and  hardly  wonder  at  myself." 

Helen  made  no  answer,  but  the  look  she  gave  him 
said,  so  plainly,  that  she  regarded  this  as  a  mere  excuse, 
if  not  a  subterfuge — so  plainly,  that  he  could  not  be 
mistaken  in  her  thoughts. 

"  I  assure  you,  Helen,"  said  he,  seriously,  "  that  I 
meant  to  bring  you  this  money.  If  you  knew  how 
much  worried  I  have  been,  you  would  not  blame  my 
omission.  But  you  shall  have  it  to-morrow  morning." 

No  response,  whatever,  was  made  to  this  by  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch, nor  did  the  cloud  on  her  brow  lift  itself  up,  or  per- 
mit a  gleam  of  light  to  break  through  its  dark  masses. 

A  cheerless  meal  was  that  of  which  the  family  par- 
took. Mrs.  Lee,  who  was  cognizant  of  her  daughter's 
disappointment,  looked  quite  as  sombre  and  more  indig- 
nant than  Helen.  Mr.  Lee,  who  usually  made  an 
effort,  not  always  unsuccessful,  to  introduce  pleasant 
topics  of  conversation,  was,  unfortunately,  too  much 
indisposed  to  leave  his  room.  So  poor  Mr.  Bullfinch 
was  left  alone  to  encounter  the  suffocating  sphere  of 
two  injured  and  indignant  women,  who,  if  they  could 
punish  him  in  no  other  way,  were  quite  ready  to  visit 
on  his  head  the  terrors  of  a  moody  silence.  This  was 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  219 

quite  as  much  as  he  could  bear.  A  shorter  time  than 
usual  he  remained  at  the  table,  and  then,  instead  of  the 
half  hour's  siesta,  went  immediately  from  the  house.  A 
hurried  walk  soon  brought  him  to  his  store. 

"  How  much  money  is  in  the  drawer  ?"  said  he  of 
the  clerk  who  had  the  cash  in  charge. 

The  young  man  opened  his  money-drawer,  and  after 
counting  over  a  few  small  bills  and  loose  change,  replied — 

"  About  eight  dollars,  sir." 

"  Is  that  all  ?"  Mr.  Bullfinch  manifested  considera- 
ble disappointment. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  we  had  to  scrape  pretty  close  to-day 
How  much  do  you  want  ?" 

"  Fifty  dollars,"  was  replied. 

"  I  can  borrow  it  for  you,  I  presume,"  said  the  clerk. 

"Do  so,  if  you  please,  Mr.  Williams.  I  want  that 
sum  particularly." 

The  young  man  went  out,  and  was  gone  for  over 
half  an  hour. 

"  Keally,"  said  he,  on  coming  in,  "  I  never  had  so 
much  trouble  to  raise  a  small  amount  of  money  in  my 
life.  Everybody's  deposits  were  made,  and  nobody  had 
anything  '  out  of  bank.'  " 

As  he  spoke  he  drew  three  small  rolls  of  bills  from 
his  pocket,  and  laying  them  on  the  desk,  unfolded  and 
counted  them  over. 


220       THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Just  fifty  dollars.  I  had  to  get  it  from  three  seve- 
ral places  ;  and  such  money  as  it  is  !  It  hails  from 
nearly  every  point  of  the  compass — is,  in  fact,  the  very 
debris  of  depositable  funds.  I  don't  know  that  it  will 
be  of  any  use  to  you,  now." 

Mr.  Bullfinch  took  the  bills,  and  with  a  dubious  look, 
turned  them  over  slowly. 

"  It  will  have  to  do,"  said  he,  in  mimic  desperation. 
So  writing  a  hurried  note — addressed  to  his  wife — he 
enclosed  and  sent  her,  by  the  hands  of  his  porter,  the 
money. 

What  remained  of  the  afternoon  was  devoted  to  an 
examination  into  the  financial  resources  of  the  next  day, 
which  did  not  show  a  very  hopeful  state  of  things, 
although  the  payments  were  far  from  being  as  heavy  as 
those  just  made. 

When  Mr.  Bullfinch  again  took  his  way  homeward, 
it  was  not  with  any  pleasing  anticipations.  He  half 
dreaded  to  meet  his  wife,  notwithstanding  he  had  sent 
her  the  money  she  wanted ;  but  was  a  good  deal  disap- 
pointed, on  his  return,  to  find  that  she  was  out. 
• 

"Where  has  she  gone  ?"  he  inquired  of  her  mother. 

"  To  Levy's,"  replied  Mrs.  Lee. 
He  asked  no  further  question.      The   answer   was 
altogether  sufficient. 

From  Levy's,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  went  to  the  dress-maker's, 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  221 

and  did  not  get  home  until  nearly  an  hour  after  th« 
usual  tea-time,  her  absence  delaying  supper,  and  fret- 
ting her  husband  almost  beyond  endurance.  Their 
meeting,  when  she  at  last  came  home,  was  not  with 
any  excess  of  kind  words. 


CHAPTER  XXTT. 

FOR  the  party  at  Mrs.  Levering's,  Mrs.  Bullflnch 
made  even  more  thoughtful  preparation  than  for  the 
one  previously  attended.  Her  new  dress  was  of  the  rich- 
est material,  and  its  style  and  trimming  such  as  to  show 
off  her  person  and  complexion  to  the  greatest  advantage. 

"  How  beautiful !  How  attractive  !"  was  the  mental 
exclamation  of  her  husband,  as  he  gazed  upon  her, 
•when  fully  attired  for  the  evening,  and  ready  to  enter 
the  carriage  that  was  to  convey  them  to  Mrs.  Levering's. 
Yet,  with  this  involuntary  feeling  of  admiration — this 
consciousness  of  his  young  wife's  charms,  Mr.  Bullfinch 
x>oked  forward  to  the  gay  assemblage  in  which  she  was 
to  shine,  with  a  feeling  of  uneasiness  so  profound  as  to 
rob  him  of  peace  entirely.  Too  fully  was  he  satisfied 
that  Helen  did  not  regard  him  with  any  real  affection. 
But,  of  this,  he  had  no  right  to  complain ;  for,  had  sL: 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  223 

not  declared  to  him,  most  unequivocally,  before  mar- 
riage, that  she  possessed  no  heart  to  give  ;  that,  if  ha 
took  her  hand,  he  must  be  content  with  that  alone  ? 
Then,  he  did  not  give  to  her  declaration  its  full  force  ; 
alas  !  how  fraught  with  meaning  had  he  since  proved  it 
to  be  !  And  now,  when  he  saw  the  admiration  she  was 
eliciting,  and  believed  that  at  least  one  man,  with  whom 
she  must  come  into  immediate  contact,  loved  her  with 
the  fervor  of  a  first  passion,  his  jealousy  became  fever- 
ish in  its  intensity. 

As  for  Helen,  though  she  knew  it  not,  the  leading 
impulse  from  which  she  was  acting  sprung  from  a  de- 
sire to  meet  Mr.  Wellford.  In  all  her  toilette  arrange- 
ment, now  most  carefully  made,  every  effect  sought  to 
be  produced  was  for  his  eyes.  At  Mr.  Lane's  party, 
during  the  earlier  portion  of  the  evening,  gratified 
vanity  fed  the  flame  of  excitement,  and  enabled  her  to 
act  her  brilliant  part.  But,  now,  another  state  had  su- 
pervened ;  she  felt  indifferent  to  all  save  Henry  Well- 
ford,  whose  image  was  scarcely  ever  absent  from  her 
mental  vision.  The  moment  she  entered  Mrs.  Leve- 
ring's  drawing-room,  her  eyes  began  ranging  about  in 
search  of  her  old  lover ;  and  the  search  did  not  end 
until,  with  a  feeling  of  disappointment,  she  ascertained 
that  he  was  not  present.  Then  a  certain  listlessnesa 
came  over  her,  and  to  many  of  those  who,  at  Mr.  Lane's, 


224  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

had  been  charmed  by  her  free,  social  manners  and  lively 
conversation,  she  was  dull,  distant,  and  abstracted.  By 
several,  the  change  was  noticed  and  remarked  upon. 
Mr.  Bullfinch,  who  was  quite  as  uninteresting  as  his 
wife,  remained  close  by  her  side,  and  did  his  part,  fully, 
towards  keeping  young  gallants  at  a  distance. 

Suddenly,  after  the  lapse  of  nearly  an  hour,  the 
rather  pale  face  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch  was  seen  to  flush  and 
her  eyes  to  light  up  with  a  new  interest.  Those  who 
noticed  this,  and  followed  the  direction  of  her  glances, 
saw  the  handsome  person  of  Henry  Wellford,  junior 
partner  in  the  extensive  house  of  Lane,  Latta  &  Co. 
From  that  time,  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  to  all  external  seeming, 
was  another  creature.  A  new  beauty  came  into  her 
young  face.  No  longer  did  she  repel  those  who  ap- 
proached her;  and  soon,  as  .on  the  evening  at  Mr. 
Lane's,  she  was  the  centre  of  an  admiring  circle. 
Yet,  even  beyond  this  circle,  went  eyes  and  thoughts  to 
one  who  did  not  approach  her ;  nor,  indeed,  so  far  as  she 
was  able  to  detect,  seem  even  to  know  she  was  in 
the  room. 

Not  long  after  Mrs.  Bullfinch  became  aware  of  Mr. 
Wellford 's  presence,  she  saw  the  attractive  face  or*  her 
husband's  niece,  Fanny  Milnor;  and  almost  at  the 
same  moment,  the  young  man  approached  her,  and  the 
two  were  soon  engaged  in  earnest  and  familial1  conver- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  C^5 

sation.  Lip  and  cheek  paled  for  a  moment ;  then,  as 
effort,  born  of  conscious  weakness,  sent  the  blood  back 
again.  How  instantly  wretched  became  the  excited 
woman  ;  while  a  feeling  of  bitter  dislike  towards  Fanny 
took  possession  of  her  bosom.  It  required,  now,  a  far 
stronger  effort  on  her  part  than  before,  to  maintain  an 
interested  exterior  ;  to  meet  and  adequately  respond  to 
the  social  attentions  which  were  freely  accorded.  As 
for  Wellford  and  Miss  Milnor,  no  full  minute  of  time 
passed,  in  which  Mrs.  Bullfinch  did  not  turn  her  eyes 
upon  them,  and  note,  with  a  quick  instinct,  from  signs 
none  but  a  woman  can  read,  the  state  of  feeling  that 
existed  between  them.  Disappointed  beyond  measure 
was  she,  in  not  receiving  from  Wellford  a  single  glance. 
Not  once  was  a  look  cast  towards  her ;  and  there  was 
nothing  in  his  manner  that  indicated  a  knowledge  of 
her  presence.  As  this  manifestation  of  ignorance  or 
indifference  continued,  it  seemed  to  Mrs.  Bullfinch  as  if 
her  feelings  would  suffocate  her.  In  the  midst  of  this 
unhappy  state,  she  saw  Wellford  accompany  Miss  Mil 
nor  to  the  piano,  and  watched  him  while  he  stood  b)' 
her,  as  she  sung,  with  skill  and  fine  taste,  two  or  three 
popular  airs.  She  did  not  hear  the  complimentary 
words  he  uttered  ;  but  she  imagined  them  ;  which  waa 
all  the  same,  so  far  as  the  effect  upon  her  state  of  mind 
was  concerned. 


226        THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Now,  Mrs.  Bullfinch,"  said  a  gentleman  as  sixra 
as  Fanny  retired  from  the  piano,  "  you  will  favor  m 
with  a  song." 

There  was  not  a  moment's  hesitation.  The  invita- 
tion just  accorded  with  her  wishes.  She  arose,  and 
crossing  the  room,  took  her  seat  at  the  instrument. 
Never,  perhaps,  in  her  life,  had  Mrs.  Bullfinch  thrown 
so  much  power  and  expression  into  her  voice,  as  on  this 
occasion.  For  a  time,  conversation  was  hushed  ;  and, 
as  her  voice  died  away  into  silence,  murmurs  of  plea- 
sure and  admiration  reached  her  ears  from  all  sides ; 
but,  she  listened  in  vain  for  the  voice  of  Wellford. 
What  would  she  not  then  have  given,  could  she  have 
looked  upon  him  j  but  too  many  eyes  were  on  her  ;  she 
dared  not  turn  herself  towards  the  part  of  the  room 
where  she  knew  he  was  standing  in  company  with 
Fanny  Milnor. 

The  moment  Mrs.  Bullfinch  retired  from  the  piano, 
she  threw  a  hurried,  but  stealthy  glance,  towards  Well- 
ford.  How  her  heart  sunk  and  fluttered.  His  back 
was  towards  the  instrument  at  which  she  had  been  seated, 
and  he  was  bending  to  Miss  Milnor,  whose  countenance 
manifested  the  interest  she  felt  in  his  words. 

Soon  after  this,  Mrs.  Bullfinch's  absence  from  the 
drawing-rooms  was  remarked.  She  had  complained 
of  indisposition  to  her  husband,  and  he,  quite  ready  to 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  227 

withdraw  her  from  a  company  so  fraught  with  trial  and 
temptation,  suggested  their  return  home,  to  which  she 
consented.  Their  retirement  was  made  unobtrusively, 
and  was  known,  at  the  time  it  took  place,  only  to 
their  hostess.  Many  questions  and  surmises  followed, 
as  soon  as  they  were  missed,  and,  as  is  usual  in  all  such 
cases,  some  of  the  latter,  from  a  slight  suspicion  of  the 
truth,  took  the  form  of  rather  distinct  affirmations,  in, 
which  the  presence  of  an  old  lover,  and  his  indifference, 
or  attentions  to  a  new  idol,  made  a  pretty  broad  foun- 
dation. 

The  true  cause  of  Helen's  wish  to  retire,  was  a  sud- 
den and  overwhelming  conviction  of  the  danger  and  sin- 
fulness  of  the  thoughts  and  feelings  that  were  permit- 
ted to  rule  in  her  bosom.  Some  good  angel  had  lifted 
the  veil  from  her  eyes,  and  enabled  her  to  see  herself  as 
she  was;  the  sight  produced  a  fearful  shuddei,  that 
thrilled  her  whole  being. 

"  Am  I  not  a  wedded  wife  ? "  she  whispered  to  her- 
self— and  as  the  full  meaning  of  the  words  stood  out 
in  living  relief  before  her,  the  shudder  went,  if  possible, 
still  deeper. 

Crouching  beside  her  husband,  a  feeling  almost  liko 
guilt  in  her  heart,  the  unhappy  woman  rode  home  in 
silence.  To  his  kind,  even  tender  inquiries,  and  obtru- 
sive suggestions  ->f  remedies  for  her  indisposition,  Mrs 


228  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

Bullfinch  forced  herself  to  reply  gently,  and  with  some 
small  acknowledgment  in  her  tones  of  the  real  interest 
of  which  she  was  the  subject.  That  her  husband  had 
full  cause  for  the  jealous  suspicions  he  had  manifested 
she  acknowledged  to  herself,  with  a  sense  of  painful  hu 
miliation.  This  produced  something  of  a  new  feeling 
towards  him ;  duty,  more  clearly  seen,  became  the 
prompter  of  different  actions,  and  led  to  a  new,  if  com- 
pelled, external. 

But,  oh  !  What  a  trial  was  before  her !  These 
meetings  with  "Wellford  had  blown  into  a  flame  the 
damped  fires  kindled  years  before,  and  which  could  not 
be  permitted  to  blaze  forth  again  without  destroying 
honor  and  virtue  ;  and  now,  though  she  sought  to  cover 
them  from  view,  they  burned  still,  consuming  the  very 
altar  where  they  rested. 

It  was  not  in  Mr.  Bullfinch  to  comprehend  the 
change  which,  from  this  time,  was  apparent  in  his  wife. 
That  it  had  something  to  do  with  Mr.  Wellford,  he, 
indeed,  suspected,  for  he  had  not  failed  to  notice  th 
total  indifference  manifested  by  him ;  as  well  as  his 
marked  attentions  to  his  niece,  between  whom  he 
most  sincerely  hoped  a  matrimonial  arrangement  might 
take  place.  But  he  was  far  from  giving  his  wife  credit 
for  the  real  state  of  mind  from  which  she  was  acting 
He  had  seen  her  but  a  little  while  before,  apparently 


THE    OLD     MATE'S    BKIDE.  228 

wholly  absorbed  in  "Wellford,  and  utterly  ir  different  to 
him  : — Wellford  made  no  return  of  this  interest,  while 
he  plainly  enough  showed  that,  if  he  had  ever  loved 
her,  he  was  about  transferring  h.'s  affections  to  another. 
The  change  in  his  wife,  therefore,  he  attributed  to  no 
higher  sources  than  disappointment  and  chagrin ;  and 
while  he  was  gratified  at  her  softened  manners  towards 
him,  respect  for  her  was  in  no  way  increased  ;  nor  did 
his  jealous  feelings  lose  their  active  suspicion. 

The  suddenly  awakened  interest  in  society,  which 
Mrs.  Bullfinch  had  manifested,  as  suddenly  died  out. 
The  social  season  promised  to  be  unusually  gay,  and 
invitation  after  invitation  came  in,  often  as  many  as  two 
in  a  single  week  ;  but,  in  every  case,  regrets  were  sent, 
and  the  old  man  and  his  young  wife  were  missed  from 
the  festive  circles.  Thus  more  than  two  months 
passed.  Awakened  to  a  sense  of  her  duty  as  a  wife, 
Helen  had  striven,  during  this  time,  though  in  a  weak 
way,  to  make  the  home  circle  more  cheerful  than  it  had 
been.  Her  father's  health  was  growing  feebler  every 
day,  and  it  was  now  but  rarely  that  he  could  venture 
abroad  into  the  open  air.  His  spirits,  too,  were  low. 
A  sense  of  dependence  on  Mr.  Bullfinch,  whose 
manner  towards  him  had  never  been  frank  and  cheer- 
ful ;  and  worse  than  this,  a  consciousness  "hat  the  food 
he  ate,  and  the  house  that  covered  him,  were  obtained 


230  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

at  the  cost  of  his  daughter's  happiness,  lay  ever  like  a 
weight  upon  his  bosom.  In  brooding  over  the  ruin  of 
her  own  hopes  in  life,  Helen  had  failed  to  comprehend, 
as  fully  as  the  case  rea  aired,  her  father's  state  of  mind  ; 
but,  now,  her  thoughts  were  turning  to  him  with 
wiser  appreciation,  and  a  loving  desire  to  brighten,  with 
warmer  colors,  the  later  days  of  his  waning  life. 

Changed  in  her  manner  towards  her  husband,  and 
more  interested  and  cheerful  in  the  home  circle  than 
before ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  aware  that  such  was  the 
case,  Helen  was  disappointed  at  not  meeting  from  Mr. 
Bullfinch  a  looked-for  appreciation  of  this  new  and 
better  state  of  things.  He  had  grown,  all  at  once, 
silent,  abstracted  in  manner,  moody,  and  often  captious. 
Money  was  supplied  for  the  use  of  the  family  more 
sparingly,  and  with  what  seemed  a  grudging  spirit. 
Frequently  he  would  sit  the  evening  through  without 
speaking  a  word,  unless  addressed,  and  then  his  replies 
indicated  an  entire  indifference  on  the  subject  to  which 
his  attention  was  called.  Everything  that  did  not 
exactly  suit  his  tastes,  was  the  subject  of  complaint, 
while  nothing  that  was  agreeable  met  with  a  single 
word  of  commendation.  How  often  was  his  ear 
greeted  with  a  sigh,  that  an  expected  pleasant  look  or 
tone  would  have  prevented. 

Thus  the  season  was  passing  away,  and  Mr.  and 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  231 

Mrs.  Bullfinch  had  not  ventured  into  any  of  the 
fashionable  assemblages,  since  the  evening  at  Mrs. 
Levering's.  But  now,  invitations  were  received  from  a 
source  that  made  the  sending  of  regrets  a  doubtful 
expedient.  They  could  not  absent  themselves  withou 
being  misunderstood,  and  producing  a  state  of  coolness 
in  friends  particularly  regarded. 

So,  with  much  reluctance,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  prepared 
for  another  evening  abroad.  Even  if  she  had  desired  ? 
new  dross  for  the  occasion,  the  recent  closeness  exhib- 
ited by  her  husband,  in  regard  to  money,  would  have 
caused  her  to  suppress  the  desire.  That  worn  at  Mrs. 
Levering's  had  never  been  used  since,  and  her  present 
love  of  appearance  was  not  strong  enough  to  make  her 
desire  another.  So,  making  a  few  changes  in  this 
dress,  which  was  of  rich  material,  by  which  the  effect 
was  diminished  instead  of  heightened,  she  attired 
herself  for  the  occasion,  and  in  doing  so,  studied 
simplicity  instead  of  ornament,  to  an  extent  which, 
governed  as  it  was  by  good  taste,  rendered  her  appear- 
ance really  more  attractive  than  before.  With  th, 
effect  produced,  Mr.  Bullfinch  was  particularly  struck, 
while,  at  the  same  time,  he  was  puzzled.  The  change 
in  his  wife,  dating  from  the  evening  at  Mrs.  Levering's, 
he  had  never  been  able  clearly  to  understand,  although 
he  had  endeavored  to  account  for  it,  and,  at  one  time. 


232        THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIBE. 

pretty  much  to  his  satisfaction.  That  it  had  something 
to  do  with  want  of  attention  on  the  part  of  Mr. 
Wellford,  he  still  believed.  And  now,  he  was  at  a  loss 
to  determine  whether  the  new  effects  produced  in  her 
appearance  by  his  wife,  were  really  the  result  of  indif- 
ference or  design.  Suspicious  jealousy  favored  the 
latter  view,  while  her  total  want  of  interest  in  society, 
manifested  for  some  two  months,  led  to  a  different 
conclusion.  Be  the  reason  what  it  might,  Mr.  Bullfinch 
resolved  to  keep  an  eagle  eye  upon  her. 

Much  as  Mrs.  Bullfinch  had  striven  to  avoid  effect  in 
her  dress,  she  was  far  from  going  to  this  third  party,  at 
the  residence  of  Mrs.  Floyd,  in  a  state  of  mental  indif- 
ference. While,  under  a  strong  sense  of  womanly 
virtue,  she  was  repressing  all  voluntary  interest  in 
her  old  lover ;  and  had  sought,  by  avoiding  society,  to 
shun  temptation  ;  now,  th?t  there  was  a  prospect  of 
meeting  him  once  more,  she  could  not  repress  the  wish 
to  note  the  progress  of  events  between  him  and  Fanny 
Milnor.  Hopelessness  had  produced,  on  the  surface  of 
her  feelings,  an  icy  calm — at  least  in  reference  to  Well- 
ford  ;  and,  if  the  waters  beneath  were  at  any  time 
troubled,  threatening  to  break  the  congealation,  a  strong 
effort  of  the  will  repressed  the  agitation.  She  did  not, 
therefore,  wish  to  attract  attention ;  but  rather  desired 
the  privilege  of  an  observer  without  being  observed. 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.  233 

There  were  few  who  had  met  Mrs.  Bullfinch  at  Mr 
Lane's  and  Mrs.  Levering's,  who  were  not  struck  with 
the  marked  difference  in  her  appearance,  and  who  were 
not  as  much  interested  in  her  as  before  ;  but  the  inter- 
est was  altogether  of  another  kind.  Before,  there  was 
about  her  much  of  the  brilliant  woman  of  the  world, 
and  many,  while  attracted  and  admiring,  said,  in  their 
secret  thought,  that  she  was  heartless.  Now,  changed 
states  of  mind  had  subdued  what  before  led  to  a  light 
estimation  of  her  character ;  and  evidences  of  suffering 
softened  towards  her  many  who,  on  the  previous  occa- 
sions, would  not  have  hesitated  in  the  utterance  of 
words  that  would  have  struck  her  like  barbed  arrows. 

Wellford  was  present,  and  also  Miss  Milnor,  and  it 
was  plain  to  see  that  a  very  good  understanding 
existed  between  them.  Not,  as  before,  however,  did 
the  former  keep  entirely  aloof  from  Mrs.  Bullfinch.  At 
Mr.  Lane's,  he  had  observed  her  closely,  and  listened  to 
the  observations  of  others.  The  character  she  had 
assumed  and  the  impression  she  made,  produced  on 
his  mind  an  unfavorable  conclusion.  At  Mrs.  Lever- 
ing's,  he  was  less  pleased  than  before.  In  fact,  he  was 
shocked  at  her  taking  the  piano,  immediately  after  Miss 
Milnor  had  risen  from  it,  and  striving,  as  was  too  evi- 
dently the  case,  to  eclipse  her  performance.  That  she 
was  playing  and  singing  for  his  ears,  he  understood  too 


234  THE    OLD    MAN  8    BRIDE. 

well ;  and  while  not  insensible  to  the  fact  that  she  stiL 
regarded  him  with  affection,  his  virtuous  feelings  were 
shocked  at  her  effort  to  awaken  an  interest  in  his  mind 
when  she  was  the  wedded  wife  of  another.  Purposely, 
therefore,  did  he  refrain  from  manifesting  even  a  know- 
ledge of  her  presence ;  and  when  she  so  suddenly 
retired,  at  an  early  hour,  and  he  heard  her  indisposition 
remarked  upon,  he  did  not  err  in  his  interpretation  of 
its  meaning. 

Once  drawn  from  his  self-imposed  seclusion,  Mr. 
Wellford,  after  tasting  the  pleasures  of  social  life,  and, 
more  particularly,  after  making  the  acquaintance  of 
Miss  Milnor,  needed  no  persuasion  to  induce  him  to 
mingle  in  society.  Helen  was  married ;  and,  in  her 
marriage,  violence  to  his  respect  for  her  had  been  com- 
mitted. Why,  then,  should  he  make  himself  a  hermit 
on  her  account  ?  She  was  no  longer  anything  to  him. 
An  impassable  gulf  had  been  thrown  between  them. 
Thus  he  reasoned  with  himself,  and  gradually  gained 
accessions  of  internal  sustaining  power.  He  felt  that 
social  intercourse  was  good  for  him ;  and  from  this  per- 
ception, as  well  as  from  inclination,  hQ,  was  led  to  go 
much  into  company. 

Wellford  did  not  of  course,  fail,  to  notice  that,  after  the 
evening  at  Mrs.  Levering's,  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  from  some 
cause,  no  longer  went  into  company  Nor  did  he  fail  to 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  235 

notice,  on  her  re-appearance  at  Mrs.  Floyd's,  that  she  had 
assumed  a  new  character  altogether;  or,  rather,  had 
fallen  back  into  her  own.  After  carefully  observing 
her  for  some  time,  and  remarking  an  entire  absence  of 
what  he  had  before  thought  a  gay,  almost  heartless 
manner;  and  also  remarking  that  she  no  longer  fixed 
on  him  the  strangely  penetrating  glances  that  really 
haunted  him  at  Mrs.  Levering's,  and  which  he  avoided, 
by  seeming  not  to  be  aware  of  her  presence,  at  Mr. 
Lane's,  he  began  to  feel  differently  towards  her,  and 
very  soon  made  his  way  to  her  side. 

Even  the  sharp,  suspicious  eyes  of  Mr.  Bullfinch 
saw  little  in  either  the  manner  of  his  wife  or  Mr.  Well- 
ford  to  add  fuel  to  the  flame  of  jealousy.  Both  were 
guarded  carefully,  and  guarded  by  the  surest  protec- 
tion, that  of  virtuous  principle.  While  the  latter  had 
no  desire  to  rob  the  husband  of  his  true  dower,  the 
affections  of  his  wife,  the  former,  conscious  that  every 
truant  thought,  or  cherished  regard  for  her  old  lover, 
was  sin,  kept  even,  by  a  powerful  effort,  the  pulsations 
of  her  heart. 

What  a  trial — shall  we  say  a  triumph  ? — it  was  to 
both  !  No,  not  altogether  a  triumph.  "  Love  never 
dies.  The  heart  that  has  once  loved  truly,  loves  on  for 
ever."  The  fires  may  be  hidden,  but  they  burn  on. 


236  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

Ashes  may  lie  on  the  altar,  but  there  is  a  latent  fir 
beneath  them. 

For  a  while  they  conversed — the  old  lover  and  his 
lost  idol — and,  to  each  ear,  how  full  of  music,  sweet  as 
the  songs  of  childhood,  were  the  voices  that  filled  them  ! 
Then,  Mr.  Wellford,  feeling  that  his  soul  was  going  out 
towards  her,  as  if  drawn  by  a  spiritual  magnet,  forced 
himself  away.  The  struggle  was  not  apparent,  even  to 
Mrs.  Bullfinch ;  nor  did  the  quick  ear  of  her  husband 
detect  the  sigh  that  breathed  from  her  lips,  as  the 
young  man  withdrew  from  her  side. 

And  now,  for  Wellford's  eyes,  a  strange  eclipse  had 
come  over  the  face  of  Fanny  Milnor,  and  her  voice  had 
lost  many  tones  of  melody.  He  drew  again  to  her 
side,  but  failed  to  become  interested*  as  before.  Ho 
wondered  at  this,  sighed,  yet  not  audibly,  and  then 
experienced  a  sense  of  relief,  as  he  remembered  that 
he  had  not,  up  to  this  time,  uttered  a  word  for  her  ears 
that  could  be  construed  into  lover-like  preference.  It 
did  not  escape  the  observation  of  Fanny,  that  from  this 
time,  during  the  evening,  Wellford  was  less  constant, 
than  heretofore,  in  his  attentions.  Why  this  was  so, 
she  had  no  suspicion,  or  she  would  not  have  been  so 
unwise  as  to  remark,  on  finding  him  near  her — 

"My  uncle's  wife  looks  twenty  years  older  than 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  237 

'when  married.     The  wine  of  her  life  has  soured.     Yet, 
who  wonders — or  who  pities  her  ?" 

There  was,  certainly,  no  pity  in  the  tones  of  the 
young  lady's  voice,  but  rather  a  feeling  of  triumph 
Wellford  made  no  reply ;  but,  in  a  little  while,  he  left 
her  side,  and  did  not  seek  her  company  again  during 
the  evening.  From  that  time,  she  had  no  attractive 
power  for  him.  Occasionally  he  had  been  a  visiter  at 
her  residence,  but  he  called  there  no  more,  and,  when, 
on  the  next  occasion  of  hev  being  in  company,  she 
searched  the  crowded  rooms  .or  the  form  now  most 
attractive  to  her  eyes,  it  was  nowhere  to  be  seen.  Nor 
did  she  meet  him  again  at  any  of  the  closing  parties 
for  the  season. 


CHAPTER 


WINTER  closed,  and  spring  came  with  its  genial  air* 
and  the  fragrance  of  budding  leaf  and  opening  blossom. 
To  Helen,  the  season  had  been  one  of  no  light 
trial.  Another  page  in  the  book  of  her  life  had  been 
turned,  and  the  writing  thereon  told  the  story  of  a  new 
and  a  bitter  experience.  And  now,  sorrow  was  to  be 
added  to  her  cup.  She  must  stoop  to  the  waters  of 
Marah,  yet  untouched  by  the  leaf  of  healing. 

Through  the  long  winter,  Mr.  Lee's  health  had  been 
growing  worse  and  worse.  To  the  milder  season,  his 
wife  and  daughter  looked  forward  with  anxious  inter 
est.  It  had  come,  but,  to  the  drooping  invalid,  it  came 
not  with  a  blessing.  Anxiety  changed  to  alarm, 
Instead  of  gaining  sufficient  strength  to  ride  out,  the 
softer  airs  of  spring  relaxed  his  system  ;  and  now,  when 
he  had  permission  to  leave  his  room,  a  mere  descent  to 
the  parlors  caused  so  much  fatigue,  that  it  was  not 
again  ventured  upon. 


THE   OLD   MAN'S    BRIDE.  230 

An  occasional  walk  across  his  chamber,  supported  by 
his  wife  or  daughter,  soon  made  the  extent  of  Mr.  Lee'a 
bodily  exertion.  This  did  not  long  continue.  Next, 
the  sitting  up  for  a  few  hours  each  day  was  as  much  as 
his  strength  would  bear — then,  entire  physical  prostra- 
tion came.  Life's  pulses  beat  weaker  and  less  evenly 
— the  end  was  nigh. 

From  some  cause,  the  feelings  of  Mr.  Buljfinch  had 
been  greatly  soured  against  Mr.  Lee.  For  months,  he 
had  scarcely  treated  him  with  common  civility.  After 
he  was  confined  to  his  room,  he  never  visited  him,  and 
it  was  but  rarely  that  he  made  inquiries  as  to  the  state 
of  his  health.  The  beginning  of  this  dislike  was  his 
strong  opposition  to  the  marriage  of  his  daughter,  and 
the  plainness  of  his  speech  prior  to  that  event.  Many 
things  then  said  had  never  been  forgotten ;  and,  in 
treasuring  them,  memory  had  given  added  force  to 
their  meanings.  The  declining  health  of  Mr.  Lee  was 
to  Mr.  Bullfinch,  therefore,  less  a  source  of  pain  than 
pleasure.  If  he  thought  of  his  death  at  all,  it  was  with 
a  sense  of  relief.  His  presence  was  a  burden  and  an 
annoyance ;  and  he  cared  not  how  soon  he  were  rid  of 
both.  Such  could  not  be  the  state  of  her  husband's 
mind,  without  the  fact  being  perceived  by  Helen. 
How  exquisite  the  pain  it  occasioned  !  It  was  to 
secure  comfort,  and  freedom  from  care  and  a  sense  of 


240  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

dependence,  for  her  father,  that  she  had  consented  to 
become  the  wife  of  Mr.  Bullfinch.  All,  and  more  than 
all  the  dreaded  suffering,  she  had  endured  twice  told, 
while  the  hoped-for  good  was  denied  !  How  the  fine, 
manly  qualities  of  her  father's  mind  had  smarted  under 
a  sense  of  dependence,  which  he  had  been  made  to 
feel !  And  was  Helen  ignorant  of  this  ?  Alas  !  no. 
Her  own  perceptions  were  too  quick  not  to  comprehend 
all  this.  As  for  the  mother,  her  want  of  womanly  tact 
and  delicacy  increased  the  evil.  Towards  her,  Mr. 
Bullfinch  entertained  a  most  profound  dislike,  which  he 
was  at  no  pains  to  conceal.  Not  unfrequently  warm 
words  passed  between  them  ;  and  more  than  once  he 
had  intimated,  pretty  broadly,  that  if  she  did  not  inter- 
fere less  with  his  views  and  comforts,  he  would  feel 
called  upon  to  speak  in  a  way  that  might  not  be  alto- 
gether agreeable.  What  this  meant,  Mrs.  Lee  readily 
comprehended,  and  the  hint  was  not  lost. 

As  Mr.  Lee  grew  weaker  and  weaker,  he  could  not 
bear  to  have  his  daughter  away  from  him  a  moment ; 
and  she  had  little  desire  to  leave  him.  They  were 
much  alone ;  for  Mrs.  Lee  took  from  Helen  the  care  of 
the  household.  As  life  waned  slowly,  and  drew  nearer 
.  and  nearer  its  mortal  close,  the  thoughts  of  Mr.  Lee 
reached  themselves  more  and.  more  heavenward  ;  and 
vet  how  constantly  were  these  upward  soaring  thoughts 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  241 

drawn  back  to  rest  upon  the  earth — how  often  he 
sighed,  as  their  wings  were  folded  in  his  bosom. 

Not  many  words  passed  between  him  and  Helen, 
beyond  kind  inquiries  and  grateful  replies.  From  the 
abundance  of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh.  Their 
hearts  were  full — full  to  oppression,  and  struggling  for 
utterance — but  they  dared  not  give  voice  to  their 
thoughts.  How  often  the  daughter's  light  hand  was 
kid  tenderly  on  the  forehead  of  her  father,  now  resting 
there  with  a  gentle  pressure,  and  now  smoothing  away 
the  thin  hair  that  scarcely  hid  his  temples.  How 
often  were  her  silent  lips  pressed  to  his  pale  forehead — 
or  her  cheek,  in  sudden  excess  of  tender  feeling,  laid 
close  against  his  own.  And  then,  how  earnestly  and 
lovingly  they  would  gaze  at  times  into  each  other's 
eyes ;  gaze  until  their  light  was  dimmed  by  gathering 
moisture.  Beautiful,  yet  sad — exquisitely  sad — was 
this  daily  intercourse  between  the  father  and  daughter. 
And  all  the  while  their  hearts  were  oppressed  for  utter- 
ance ;  yet  silence  was  felt  to  be  a  sacred  duty 

One  day,  as  Helen  sat  thus  by  her  father,  who  had 
Deen  silent,  as  usual,  for  some  time,  he  said — 

"  The*e  is  always  consolation  in  the  night,  Helen." 

The  remark  roused  Mrs.  Bullfinch  from  a  kind  of 
mental  lethargy  into  which  she  had  fallen.  She  beat 

over  her  father,  and  looked  at  him  inquiringly. 
11 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

*  There  is  always  consolation  in  the  night,"  repeated 
Mr.  Lee,  and  he  smiled  as  he  spoke. 

a  From  what  source  ?"  asked  Helen,  in  partial  ab- 
ntraction  of  thought. 

"-The  morning  is  sure  to  break,"  was  answered,  with 
•KMnething  of  an  exultant  tone,  as  if  a  new  truth,  or  the 
strong  realization  of  an  old  one,  had  come  to  his  mind. 

*  To  give,"  returned  Helen,  unguardedly  and  bitterly 
-"  A  clearer  view  of  the  ruin  which  has  been  wrought 

hi  the  darkness." 

"  Dear  child !  Say  not  so !"  quickly  returned  Mr. 
Lee,  in  an  altered  voice.  "  The  morning  of  which  I 
speak  reveals  not  wreck  nor  ruin." 

"Forgive  me,  dear  father  1"  said  Helen,  forcing  a 
smile.  "  I  spoke  unguardedly.  Oh,  yes ;  there  is,  I 
trust,  such  a  morning." 

Yet,  as  she  uttered  the  words  "  I  trust,"  there  was 
doubt,  and  lingering  sadness  in  her  tones. 

"  Thepe  is  such  a  morning  for  all  who  will  look,  in 
hopeful  trust,  to  its  breaking,"  said  Mr.  Lee.  "  It  is 
not  an  earthly  morning.  For  me,  it  will  soon  break, 
love ;  and  I  trust  I  am  ready  to  welcome  it,  when  it 
dawns."  ^, 

Helen  tried  to  answer,  but  her  lips  quivered,  and  she 
remained  a  few  moments  voiceless.  Then  she  hid  her 
face  on  her  father's  bosom  and  wept. 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  PRIDE.  243 

"  It  will  break  for  you,  dear  fatter,"  said  she,  on 
recovering  herself.  She  spoke  with  composure,  yet 
deep  feeling.  "  And  it  will  break,  I  know,  ere  long. 
But  oh  !  When  you  leave  me,  what  shall  I  have  to 
lean  upon  ?  When  the  morning  breaks  for  you,  colder 
and  darker  will  the  night  close  around  your  unhappy 
child.  My  father " 

Her  slender  form  quivered  for  a  few  moments  ;  then 
she  was  able  to  grasp  the  rein  that  had  left  her  hand 
suddenly. 

"  Oh,  my  father,"  she  said,  speaking  from  an  impulse 
that  would  no  longer  be  governed  by  any  considera- 
tions, "  ere  you  go,  pray  that  I  may  have  strength  to 
bear  my  burdens.  They  are  not  light,  believe  me ; 
and,  under  their  pressure,  I  feel  myself  growing  weaker 
Oh !  How  often  have  I  longed  to  open  my  heart 
to  you,  dear  father !  To  tell  you  all  I  have  suffered,  to 
show  you  with  what  patience  I  have  striven  to  bear  all 
and  to  endure  all.  Yet  how  weakly  and  hopelessly 
have  I  struggled  !  You  could  have  understood  me — 
you  could  have  sympathised  with  me ;  and,  in  my 
weakness  and  ignorance,  have  helped  and  instructed 
me.  Ah !  my  steps  have  well  nigh  slipped.  But, 
thank  God  !  I  have  been  able  to  tread  the  rugged 
path  of  duty,  though  with  bleeding  feet.  How  it  will 


244  THE  OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

be  when  your  daily  presence  no  longer  speaks  to  me 
of  the  right,  I  cannot  tell." 

Mr.  Lee  had  grasped  a  hand  of  his  daughter,  so 
soon  as  she  began  thus  to  unbosom  herself,  and  was 
now  holding  it  tightly  in  both  of  his.  A  flood  of 
emotions  was  sweeping  through  his  mind  ;  but  he  was 
able  to  control  himself,  and  to  speak  with  composure. . 

"  I  will  still  be  very  near  to  you,  my  sweet  one  !w 
said  he,  and  he  even  smiled  as  he  looked  intently  at 
her. 

"  My  guardian  angel !"  exclaimed  Helen,  unable  to 
restrain  herself,  as  a  new  thought  flashed  into  her  mind. 
"  May  God  in  his  mercy  grant  it !"  And  she  again  hid 
her  weeping  face  on  the  breast  of  her  father. 

"He  will  grant  it,"  whispered  Mr.  Lee,  faintly 
"  Love  conjoins  the  spirit.  We  shall  only  know  a  bod- 
ily separation.  Our  souls  will  be  intimately  present,  as 
now.  When  the  morning  breaks  for  me,  love,  it  will 
break  in  some  measure  for  you  also.  In  my  light,  you 
shall  have  light.  In  my  renewed  strength,  strength 
shall  flow  down  to  you.  No,  no,  Helen ;  your  nigh 
shall  neither  be  colder  nor  darker,  because  mine  has 
passed  away.  God  bless  you,  my  child !" 

Feebler  and  feebler  had  grown  the  voice  of  Mr.  Lee, 
through  this  sentence ;  and  his  earnest  "  God  bless 
you !"  was  but  just  audible.  When  Helen  lifted  her 


THE    DID    MAN'S    BRIDE.  245 

head,  as  his  lips  ceased  their  utterance,  she  was  alarmed 
at  the  deathly  hue  that  overspread  the  countenance  of 
her  father.  The  sudden  cry  of  anguish  that  burst 
from  her  heart,  reached  her  mother's  ears,  in  a  distant 
apartment,  which  brought  her  quickly  to  the  chamber 
As  the  two  bent,  with  pale  faces,  over  the  husband  and 
father,  whose  sands  of  life  were  running  low,  nature 
rallied  feebly,  and  he  whispered — 

"  Not  yet — not  yet.  But  the  night  will  soon  come — 
and  the  morning !" — she  added,  while  a  faint  smile  lit 
up  his  wan  features. 

An  hour  later,  and  Helen  was  again  alone  with  her 
father.  Mr.  Lee  had  slept  for  a  portion  of  the  time. 
The  curtains  were  closed  that  the  light  might  not  dis- 
turb him.  Helen  sat  near  the  bedside,  her  head  resting 
on  the  back  of  an  easy  chair,  and  her  eyes  closed.  A 
few  rays,  that  struggled  through  a  small  opening  in  the 
window  drapery,  were  resting  on  her  forehead,  and 
throwing  a  mellowed  light  over  her  pale  countenance. 
From  his  brief  slumber,  Mr.  Lee  had  awakened,  and 
while  Helen  sat  thus,  his  eyes  rested  upon  her  young, 
but  thin  and  pain-marked  features,  that  were  beautiful, 
though  faded.  How  early  in  life  for  the  fading !  What 
were  the  father's  thoughts  and  feelings,  as  he  lay  there, 
with  his  eyes  on  that  suffering  countenance,  can  only  be 
imagined.  He  gave  them  no  utterance  in  words.  In- 


246        THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

expressibly  sad  was  his  face,  so  sad  that  its  hue  was 
instantly  caught  by  that  of  Helen,  as  she  suddenly 
unclosed  her  eyes,  and  saw  that  her  father  had  awak- 
ened. 

"  Dear  father  1 "  said  she,  tenderly,  starting  for 
ward,  and  placing,  as  she  was  wont  to  do,  her  hand  on 
his  forehead.  What  pleasure  that  soft  touch  ever  gave 
him  \ 

A  smile  chased,  instantly,  the  sadness  away. 

"  The  morning  will  soon  be  here,  love,"  he  faintly 
murmured. 

"  Oh,  my  father  !  I  cannot  bear  this,"  said  Helen, 
with  an  anguish  she  strove  not  to  conceal.  "  I  try  to 
think  of  the  morning ;  but  I  see  only  night — dark,  star- 
less night ! " 

"  I  would  not  pain  you,  dear  child ! "  replied  Mr. 
Lee,  tenderly,  drawing  her  cheek  down,  and  touching  it 
with  his  lips,  "  by  turning  your  thoughts  to  the  ap- 
proaching change ;  but  in  the  little  while  I  have  to 
remain  with  you,  I  wish,  if  possible,  to  impart  strength 
to  your  mind,  even  though  I  must  sow  in  tears.  May 
you  reap  in  joy  !  Amen  ! " 

For  a  little  while,  the  eyes  of  the  dying  man  wero 
closed.  If  to  his  outward  ear  came  no  response,  in 
spirit  he  heard  the  fervent  "  Amen  "  that  answered  to 
his  own. 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.        24V 

"  Helen,"  said  he.  as  he  looked  again  into  her  face, 
*  I  know  your  trials,  your  patient  endurance,  your  long 
Buffering.  But  out  of  all  these  will  come,  I  trust,  purifica- 
tion. As  gold  tried  in  the  fire  may  you  be,  when  our 
Heavenly  Father  comes  to  make  up  his  jewels.** 

"  Only  what  is  developed  here  can  be  perfected  ther*. 
Is  this  not  so,  father  ? "  Helen  lifted  a  finger  as  su% 
spoke,  and  pointed  upwards. 

"  It  is  so,  I  believe,"  answered  Mr.  Lee.  "  But  wfrf 
make  this  inquiry,  my  child  ? " 

Helen  laid  her  hand  on  her  bosom,  and  sighed  hea- 
vily, but  did  not  reply  to  the  question.  Her  father 
partly  comprehended  her  meaning,  but  it  involved  a 
subject  that  neither  felt  willing  to  approach  nearer  ;  yet, 
on  which,  of  all  others,  Helen  most  longed  to  unburden 
herself  to  some  one  who  could  comprehend  her,  and 
who  could  throw  some  light  on  the  dark  path  of  duty, 
along  which  she  was  moving  with  wearied  limbs  and 
bleeding  feet. 

A  long  silence  followed,  yet  thought  was  busy  in  the 
minds  of  both.  At  last,  Helen,  with  the  manner  of 
one  who  had  forced  herself  into  a  doubtful  utterance, 
said — 

"  Father,  I  do  not  love  Mr.  Bullfinch,  nor  did  I  ever 
love  him.  I  married  him  from  motives  which  I  see  to 
be  wrong.  Even  the  good  I  expected  from  the  sacrifloo 


248  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

has  not  been  attained  in  anything  like  the  anticipated 
measure.  Daily,  since  our  unnatural  union,  has  he 
grown  more  and  more  repugnant  to  me.  I  have  striven 
against  this,  hut  the  strife  is  hopeless.  Nature  will  speak 
out.  Now,  father,  what  is  my  duty  ? " 

Mr.  Lee,  while  he  knew  to  what  his  daughter  made 
allusion,  in  the  beginning,  was  hardly  prepared  for  this 
broad  declaration.  He  did  not  reply,  immediately,  for 
he  saw  not  clearly  how  to  answer. 

"  What  is  my  duty,  father  1 "  she  repeated.  "  For- 
give me  for  thus  disturbing  the  hours  that  should  be 
sacred  to  thoughts  of  eternal  life,  But,  oh  !  my  father, 
when  you  leave  me,  to  whom  shall  I  go  for  counsel  ? 
If  words  of  wisdom  reach  not  my  ears  now,  they  may 
never  come.  You  have  sought  my  confidence  in  this 
sad  and  solemn  time.  Shall  I  give  it  freely  ? " 

"  Freely,  my  child,  freely  !  "  replied  Mr.  Lee.  "  Keep 
nothing  back.  I  am  fully  prepared  to  hear.  God  is 
giving  me  strength  for  the  hour." 

"  What,  then,  is  my  duty  ? "  There  was  now  a  stern 
calmness  about  the  daughter.  "  I  do  not  love  Mr.  Bull- 
finch. I  have  failed  to  make  him  happy.  The  union 
is  altogether  external  and  of  constraint.  Had  I  not 
better  leave  him  ? " 

"  Helen !  My  child ! "  exclaimed  the  father,  his  wan 
face  flushing,  "  who  has  thrown  such  a  thought  into 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  249 

your  mind  ?  What  God  hath  joined  together,  let  not 
man  put  asunder,"  he  added,  solemnly. 

"  This  union  was  not  of  God,"  replied  Helen.  "  I 
had  its  origin  in  selfishness  and  false  principles." 

"•Did  you  not  refer  it  to  God,  and  invoke  His  sanc- 
tion, in  your  submission  to  a  solemn  ordinance  of  the 
church  ?  Were  you  not  joined  together  by  his  minis- 
ter and  representative  ?  Surely  you  were !  The  con- 
junction was  not  of  external  constraint  in  a  sense 
that  took  from  you  a  consentation  of  the  will.  For- 
mally and  solemnly  you  presented  yourselves,  and 
formally  and  solemnly  wedded  each  other ;  and  now 
you  cannot  abandon  the  assumed  relation  without  sin." 

Helen  bowed  her  head,  while  her  father  was  speak- 
ing. He  paused,  but  she  still  bent  her  head  and 
listened. 

"  Did  you  not  promise  Mr.  Bullfinch  to  be  to  him  all 
that  a  wife  should  be,  even  until  the  end  of  life  ? " 

"  A  wife  should  love  her  husband,"  said  Helen.  She 
spoke  without  raising  her  head. 

"True." 

"  I  promised  love — promised  it  when  I  knew  I  could 
not  give  it." 

"Love  goes  not  out  at  the  bidding;  but  outward 
obedience  to  a  known  duty  is  possible.  You  promised 
to  keep  your  husband  in  sickness  and  in  health.  If 


250  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

you  fail  in  part,  fail  not  in  all,  mj  child.  If,  as  a  wife, 
kove  is  an  utter  impossibility  ;  yet,  in  an  unselfish  seek- 
ing of  your  husband's  good ;  in  a  daily,  earnest  en- 
deavor to  make  him  happy,  something  of  interest  may 
and  will  be  awakened.  You  cannot  do  this,  without 
eoftening  and  humanizing  his  character,  and  making 
him  better  fitted  for  a  higher  and  purer  life  than  he  has 
yet  lived.  In  brooding  over  the  ruins  that  fill  the 
chambers  of  your  heart,  you  only  neglect  the  offices 
which  are  required  of  one  in  your  position.  The  trial 
is  great,  I  know  ;  but  having  assumed  such  momentous 
responsibilities,  do  not  abandon  them,  as  you  value  your 
soul's  safety.  God  has  joined  you  together,  not  in  the 
orderly  union  He  would  have  provided,  but  in  the  dis- 
orderly one  provided  by  your  own  mistaken  judgments. 
The  bond  is  just  as  sacred,  and  must  be  kept  whole  un- 
til the  end.  This  is  the  divine  law ;  not  made  arbitra- 
rily, but  for  the  good  of  those  who  are  to  live  in 
obedience  to  what  it  requires.  Better,  far  better  will  it 
be  for  your  own  spiritual  good — and  this  is,  in  fact,  the 
only  real  good — to  bear  the  cross  that  you  have  taken 
up,  and  bear  it  even  to  the  end.  It  will  be  sowing  in 
tears,  I  know,  my  child  ;  but  there  wil)  come  a  harvest 
of  joy." 

The  father  ceased  speaking,  but  Helen  neither  raised 
her  head  nor  replied.    Deeply  had  his  words  penetrated 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  251 

her  heart,  and  with  a  strong  sense  of  conviction ;  yet, 
BO  intently  had  her  mind  brooded  over  the  thought  of  a 
separation  from  her  husband,  that  she  had  already  come 
to  think  of  it  with  a  kindling  sense  of  pleasure.  All 
this  was  now  extinguished.  The  dim  light — the  false 
light  which  had  burned  in  the  dark  chambers  of  her 
mind,  flickered  and  went  out.  How  cold  and  gloomy 
was  all  before  and  around  her !  And  yet,  her  father's 
dying  words,  while  they  swept  away  a  false  hope,  gave 
new  strength  for  greater  endurance. 

"  Though  rough  and  thorny  be  the  way, 
My  strength  proportion  to  my  day." 

In  these  words,  familiar  from  childhood,  she  lifted, 
almost  involuntarily,  her  suffering  heart  upwards,  and  as 
she  did  so,  a  better  light  dawned  upon  her,  a  light  felt 
to  be  the  true  precursor  of  a  coming  day. 

"You  have  spoken  truly,  my  father,"  said  Helen, 
breaking  at  length,  the  long  silence.  "  I  cannot,  inno- 
cently, abandon  the  position  so  unwisely  assumed." 

"  Not  while  your  husband  remains  faithful  to  his  vow 
at  the  marriage  altar.  Mere  alienation  of  mind  is  no 
warrant  for  breaking  so  holy  a  bond." 

"  There  is  something  that  I  can  do,  father."  Helen's 
voice  was  warmer  in  its  tones,  as  she  said  this,  while  a 
flush  lighted,  dimly  her  face. 


252  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  What  is  it,  love  ? " 

"I  can  forget  myself  more  than  I  have  done,  and  b« 
more  thoughtful  of  my  husband.  In  many  things  I 
can  promote  his  comfort.  Ah !  I  have  been  too  indif- 
ferent. How  strong  the  conviction  strikes  me  now ! 
Dear  father !  How  blind  to  duty  a  selfish  brooding 
over  my  own  disappointed  feelings  has  made  me.  I 
have  not  denied  myself  for  another's  good.  But,  God 
helping  me,  I  will  live  differently  in  the  future." 

"  My  spirit  leaps  with  pleasure  to  hear  you  thus 
speak,  my  good,  my  true-hearted  child,"  said  Mr.  Lee, 
tenderly.  "  God  will  help  you.  The  very  wish  to  bend 
action  to  duty,  brings  Him  near  with  His  sustaining 
power;  and  the  silent  prayer  for  strength  is  never 
uttered  in  vain.  He  will  keep  you.  May  His  blessing 
rest  upon  you  !  Amen ! " 

Mr.  Lee  placed  his  hand  on  the  bent  head  of  his 
daughter,  and  lifted  his  eyes  upward.  Silently,  for 
some  moments,  he  prayed  for  her.  Then  his  lids 
drooped  slowly ;  the  light  of  thought  faded  from  his 
countenance,  and  he  seemed  unconscious  of  the  present. 
The  minutes  glided  by,  and  Helen,  who  knew  that  but 
few  sands  of  life  remained,  began  to  feel  a  breathless 
suspense.  A  slight  moving  of  the  chest  showed  that 
respiration  still  continued.  But  a  low,  shuddering  sense 
of  fear  was  creeping  along  every  nerve,  and  she  was 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  253 

about  laying  her  hand  heavily  upon  him  and  uttering 
his  name  in  a  quick  voice,  when  his  eyes  slowly  opened 
and  he  looked  up  into  her  face  with  a  quiet,  heavenly 
smile. 

"Peace — peace,"  he  whispered,  but  so  faintly  that 
Helen  bent  low  to  hear  him — "  All  is  peace.  I  go 
down  into  the  waters,  yet  fearing  no  evil ;  for  I  can  see 
across  the  dark  river.  There  are  shining  ones  on  the 
other  side.  They  wait  to  receive  me.  Already  my 
feet  are  on  the  brink — the  waters  have  touched  them. 
One  parting  kiss,  dear  child !" 

They  were  his  last  words.  As  he  uttered  them,  the 
door  opened  and  the  mother  of  Helen  came  in.  With 
an  effort,  the  dying  man  stretched  his  hands  towards 
her,  partly  raised  himself  up,  and  fell  forward  on  her 
bosom.  When  she  laid  him  back  on  the  pillow,  his 
spirit  was  at  rest  forever. 

As  quickly  as  she  could  get  away  from  the  chamber 
of  death,  Helen  fled  to  her  own  room,  locked  the  door, 
and,  sinking  on  her  knees,  lifted  her  bruised  and  suffer- 
ing heart  upwards,  aspiring  to  heaven  on  the  wings  of 
prayer.  For  a  long  time  she  remained  thus,  now 
weeping  in  abandonment  of  grief,  now  communing 
with  her  own  heart,  and  now  imploring  strength  for  the 
future. 


254  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

Word  was  sent  to  Mr.  Bullfinch  of  the  sudden  death 
of  Mr.  Lee.  On  hurrying  home  from  his  store,  he  found 
his  wife  singularly  composed.  Her  countenance,  it  is 
true,  was  inexpressibly  sad,  and  her  eyes  red  from  weep- 
ing ;  but  there  was  none  of  that  wild  abandonment  of 
grief  that  he  had  expected  to  see — no  irrational  wail- 
ings  ;  none  of  that  utter  prostration  of  body  and  mind 
which  so  often  accompanies  deep  affliction.  He  could 
not  but  wonder  at  this,  nor  help  feeling  an  involuntary 
respect.  He  doubted  not  the  suffering — in  the  endur- 
ance, therefore,  was  something  that  struck  him  as  sub- 
lime, and  gave  him  a  new  impression  of  her  character. 
Tenderly  he  spoke  to  her,  and,  with  a  kindness  that  she 
gratefully  felt,  offered  brief,  yet  fitting  words  of  condo- 
lence. 

This  bereavement,  destined,  now,  to  harmonize  many 
antagonisms — to  make  somewhat  smoother  the  path 
they  were  treading — would,  but  for  the  dying  interview 
between  father  and  daughter,  have  been  the  signal  for  a 
violent  disruption  of  the  bonds  which  held  together  this 
ill-assorted  couple.  An  evil  seed  had  been  cast  into  the 
mind  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch  ;  it  had  found  life  there,  and 
was  sending  up  its  first  tender  leaves.  Watered  and 
nourished,  it  would  soon  have  attained  size  and  vigor. 
Amid  its  branches,  night-birds  would  have  found  shel- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  255 

ter,  and  beneath  its  gloomy  shade  the  green  things  of 
her  heart  would  have  perished  utterly.  But,  the  father's 
dying  hand  had  plucked  the  evil  plant,  and  the  tendei 
roots  lay  sapless  in  the  sunshine. 


CHAPTER   XXIY. 

THERE  are  few  to  whom  affliction  does  not  come  as 
an  angel  of  mercy ;  few,  who  do  not  rise  out  of  the 
6ery  trial  purified,  in  some  degree,  from  the  dross 
of  worldly -mindedness  or  self-seeking.  This  was  emi- 
nently so  in  the  case  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch.  The  star- 
less night  she  had  feared  did  not  come.  The  morning 
that  broke  upon  her  father,  lent  a  few  rays  that  strug- 
gled through  the  clouds  darkly  curtaining  her  horizon  ; 
and  threw  light  on  the  rugged  path  she  was  destined 
to  tread,  thus  helping  her  to  step  between  the  flinty 
rocks  on  which  her  feet  would  have  been  torn,  had  she 
groped  in  the  darkness.  To  her  mind,  the  dying  words 
of  her  father  were  ever  present ;  the  tones  in  which 
they  were  uttered,  still  sounded  in  her  ears  with  a 
solemn  impressiveness.  Though  dead,  he  yet  spoke  to 
her  in  a  living  voice. 

New  states  of  mind  never  exist  without  producing  a 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  257 

corresponding  external.  The  state  inspires  the  thought 
and  thought  flows  into  action.  Deeply  conscious  of 
having  been  thus  far,  unfaithful  to  the  pledges  involved 
in  her  marriage,  and  earnestly  purposing  now  to  do  her 
duty  to  her  husband  as  far  as  in  her  lay,  it  was  not 
strange  that  Mr.  Bullfinch  soon  perceived  a  change  in 
his  wife,  that  affected  him  agreeably.  The  moodiness 
and  sharp  ill-nature,  which  she  had  from  time  to  tima 
exhibited,  were  no  longer  apparent.  Upon  his  fretful- 
ness,  under  slight  disappointments,  or  fault-finding  spirit 
when  things  did  not  please  him,  she  no  longer  reacted 
as  of  old ;  but,  to  his  surprise,  meekly  bore  his  captious 
words.  Moreover,  little  discomforts,  from  which  he  so 
often  suffered,  were  no  longer  apparent.  And  what  waa 
quite  as  agreeable  to  him,  his  rather  epicurean  tastes 
were  consulted  to  a  degree  not  known  since  Fanny  Mil- 
nor  resigned  the  care  of  his  household. 

In  the  orderly  progress  of  cause  and  effect,  a  change 
soon  showed  itself  in  Mr.  Bullfinch.  His  former  cheer- 
fulness did  not  return — there  were  reasons  outside  of) 
his  domestic  relations  affecting  this — but,  the  ill-nature 
from  which  his  family  had  suffered,  disappeared ;  and 
the  deference  that  his  wife  manifestly  extended  to  his 
wishes,  excited  in  him  an  inclination  to  defer  also. 
Thus,  constrained  good  will,  and  consequent  good  offi- 
ces, produced  good  offices  in  return.  The  death  of  hef 


258  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

husband  greatly  subdued  Mrs.  Lee,  and  so  removed  her 
disturbing  influence. 

If,  in  this  new  order  of  things,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  did  not 
find  the  beginnings  of  genuine  affection  for  her  husband, 
she  yet  experienced  the  birth  of  a  new  interest,  that 
induced  a  closer  observation.  Much  of  the  time  she 
saw  that  his  brow  was  clouded,  and  his  mind  either 
deeply  abstracted,  or  evidently  disturbed.  More  ear- 
nestly she  sought  to  know  hi*  wishes  ;  more  sedulously 
strove  to  meet  them  in  every  ^articular.  That  she  was 
successful  in  her  desire  to  make  his  home  pleasant,  she 
had  many  reasons  to  conclude ;  still,  the  troubled  aspect 
of  his  countenance  remained ;  and  his  silence  and  ab- 
straction grew  deeper.  A  few  times  she  sought  to  pen- 
etrate the  cause  of  this  change,  but  he  gently  repelled 
or  evaded  her  inquiries. 

In  the  sunless  sky  bending  over  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  the 
moon  had  risen  to  give  its  mellow,  guiding  light;  but 
that  sky  was  not  long  to  remain  cloudless.  Either  her 
closer  observation  of  her  husband  revealed  causes  of 
anxiety,  if  not  alarm,  or  he  was  beginning  to  acquire  a 
habit  exceedingly  dangerous  to  ah1  ages,  but  more  par- 
ticularly so  for  one  at  his  time  of  life.  Both  wine  and 
brandy  he  had  always  used  on  his  table.  Of  the  pro- 
priety of  this,  Helen  had  never,  up  to  the  present  time, 
«een  anything  to  awaken  a  doubt.  But,  now,  she  began 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  259 

to  remark  the  frequency  with  which  he  filled  his  glass, 
and  the  stupor  that  often  came  after  dinner.  Could  it 
be  possible,  she  asked  herself,  and  with  a  feeling  of 
alarm,  that  he  was  becoming  inordinately  fond  of  stim- 
ulating drinks  ?  The  very  question  gave  a  new  excite5- 
ment  to  her  fears,  and  quickened  her  observation. 

It  was  not  long  before  all  doubts  gave  place  to  pain- 
ful certainty.  Occasionally  Mr.  Bullfinch  went  out  in, 
the  evening  to  spend  an  hour  with  some  old  friend. 
From  one  of  these  visits  he  returned  rather  later  than 
usual,  and  so  much  under  the  influence  of  drink,  as  to 
be  exceedingly  foolish.  In  less  than  a  week  the  same 
thing  occurred  again.  From  .these,  as  well  as  other 
indications,  it  was  but  too  apparent  whither  his  over- 
indulged appetites  were  carrying  him.  He  had  pam- 
pered them  until  they  were  too  strong  for  the  rein, 
which,  in  times  past,  he  was  able  to  hold  with  a  vigor- 
ous hand. 

Morning  usually  found  Mr.  Bullfinch  silent  and 
troubled,  his  mind  brooding  over  something,  of  which 
he  showed  no  inclination  to  speak  ;  while,  it  too  often, 
Happened,  that  evening  found  him  so  heavy  with  excess 
of  wine,  as  to  be  utterly  stupid.  As  time  wore  on,  thia 
increased. 

At  length  his  manner  became  unusually  excited,  while 
his  countenance  showed  the  existence  of  intense  anxiefy. 


260  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

His  breakfas4  would  be  taken  hurriedly,  and  often  full 
half  an  hour  olapsed  beyond  the  dining  period — usu- 
ally so  promptly  observed — before  he  returned  from  his 
store.  Let  us  make  the  cause  of  this  change  more  ap 
parent  to  the  reader. 

Mr.  Bullfinch  had  taken  his  silent  and  hastily  eaten 
breakfast,  one  morning,  during  the  time  of  which  we 
are  speaking,  and  was  on  his  way  to  his  store,  when  a 
mercantile  friend  overtook  him. 

"  Have  you  &een  the  morning  paper,  Mr.  Bullfinch  ? " 
inquired  this  gentleman. 

"  No,"  was  answered.  "  I  never  see  the  papers 
until  I  get  to  my  store.  "  Any  news  of  interest  ? " 

u  Another  bad  failure  in  New  York  is  reported." 

"Who?" 

«L &  J ." 

"  Impossible ! " 

"  Too  true,  I  fear.  They  have  been,  for  some  time, 
greatly  extended." 

"  I  declare !  It  begins  to  look  frightful,"  said  Mr 
Bullfinch,  his  manner  indicating  great  uneasiness  of 
mind. 

"  It  does,  indeed,"  was  the  equally  concerned  reply. 

"  Do  they  owe  you  anything  ? "  asked  Mr.  Bullfinch. 

"  No,  thank  fortune.  The  owing  part  is  on  the  othei 
side  this  time." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  261 

"  Ah  !  you're  lucky." 

"  So  I  think.     But,  how  is  it  with  you  ? " 

"  I  wish  I  could  say  the  same.  But,  I  sold  them  a 
bill  just  four  months  ago.  The  note  fell  due  in  New 
fork  yesterday.  If  they  have  actually  failed,  the  pro- 
test will  come  to  hand  this  morning." 

"What  amount?" 

"Twenty-three  hundred  dollars." 

"  Bad.     Was  the  note  discounted  ? v 

"  Yes  :  and  this  makes  it  so  much  the  worse.  I 
shall  have  to  provide  for  it,  on  a  day  that  is  already 
burdened  quite  heavily  enough." 

The  other  shook  his  head,  and  put  on  a  very  grave 
countenance. 

"  How  will  you  stand,  to-day  ? "  asked  Mr.  Bullfinch, 
after  a  pause.  "  Should  this  note  come  back  under  pro- 
test, I  shall  want  to  raise  a  couple  of  thousand  dollars. 
Are  you  likely  to  have  anything  over  ? " 

"Not  a  cent,"  was  the  unequivocal  reply.  "Not  a 
cent  I've  been  on  the  borrowing  list  for  a  week, 
and  see  no  prospect  of  getting  off  of  it  for  a  month  to 
come." 

The  two  men  parted  here,  their  ways  diverging. 
With  a  quickened  step  Mr.  Bullfinch  hurried  on  to  his 
place  of  business.  The  news  of  L &  J 's  fail- 
ure proved  to  be  too  true.  Letters  from  New  York  not 


262  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

only  confirmed  it,  but  the  protest  on  their  unpaid  note 
made  assurance  doubly  sure. 

Without  this  additional  weight,  Mr.  Bullfinch  had 
quite  as  much  to  carry  for  that  day,  as  he  could  well 
bear.  Intently  as  he  had  pondered  the  ways  and 
means  within  his  power,  he  was  not  yet  able  to  see  how 
his  other  payments  were  to  be  made ;  nor,  after  much 
thought  and  effort  continued  for  some  two  hours,  did 
the  prospect  before  him  grow  any  brighter.  At  length, 
after  one  or  two  heavy  sacrifices,  which,  of  late,  he  had 
been  obliged  too  frequently  to  make,  he  obtained  suffi- 
cient money  to  lift  his  own  notes,  but  the  protested  note 

of  L &  J was  yet  unprovided  for.     This  bid 

fair  to  prove  the  last  pound  that  "  breaks  the  camel's 
back."  Every  dollar  of  paper  he  had  received,  up  to 
this  time,  for  sales  of  goods,  had  been  either  passed 
through  bank,  or  was  in  the  hands  of  private  money- 
lenders. No  resource  was  left  but  that  of  borrowing 
money  from  mercantile  friends,  to  be  returned  in  a  day 
or  a  week,  as  the  case  might  be  ;  and  he  had,  already, 
made  application  in  all  quarters  likely  to  afford  the 
needed  relief,  in  the  effort  to  meet  his  legitimate  pay- 
ments. 

Time  flew  by  on  rapid  wings,  and  banking  hours 
were  fast  drawing  to  a  close ;  still  the  needed  supply  of 
money  came  not  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Bullfinch.  The  old 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.        263 

man's  heart  began  lo  faint  That  terrible  ultimate  in  a 
merchant's  life,  failure,  loomed  up  before  his  mental 
vision  in  its  most  frightful  aspects,  causing  a  shudder  to 
reach  his  very  heart. 

It  was  past  two  o'clock,  yet  the  deficit  in  his  mone^ 
matters  for  the  day  was  just  twenty-three  hundred  dol- 
lars, the  amount  of  the  protested  note.  To  a  merchant, 
who  had  been  in  the  habit  of  lending  him  freely,  but 
who  had  that  morning  failed  to  accommodate  him  as 
usual,  he  made  application  a  second  time. 

"  You  must  raise  me  a  couple  of  thousand,"  said 

Mr.  Bullfinch.     "  That  note  of  L &  J 's  is  still 

in  the  notary's  hands,  and  my  regular  payments  for  the 
day  have  exhausted  all  the  day's  resources. 

"Impossible,"  was  the  firm  answer;  "  utterly  impos- 
sible. We  had  five  thousand  dollars  in  protested  drafts 
to  provide  for,  besides  our  usual  payments,  which  were 
very  heavy." 

"  lias  any  body  got  any  thing  over  to-day  ?  "  asked 
Mr.  Bullfinch,  in  a  half-despairing  tone. 

.  "  Nobody  that  I  have  heard  of,  except  Lane,  Latta  <fe 
Co.  They  are  as  easy  as  an  old  shoe.  Some  one  tola 
me,  yesterday,  that  their  bank  account  always  showed  a 
balance  to  their  credit  of  over  ten  thousand  dollars." 

"  Possible ! "  The  old  man  seemed  partially  stupe- 
fied by  this  declaration. 


264  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Try  them,"  said  the  merchant. 

Mr.  Bullfinch  shook  his  head. 

"  You'll  get  what  you  need  for  to-day,  I  have  not  the 
smallest  doubt.  See  Mr.  Wellford.  He  has  most  to 
do  with  the  financial  concerns  of  the  establishment,  and 
will  lend  you  all  you  want  at  a  word." 

"  No — no — I  can't  go  there."  There  was  a  quick- 
ness of  tone,  and  an  unusual  mark  of  feeling  in  the  old 
man's  voice. 

"  Why  not  ?  You  want  the  money,  and  can  get  it 
for  the  asking." 

"  I'll  try  some  where  else,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  turn- 
ing from  the  merchant,  and  walking  hurriedly  away. 
As  he  reached  the  street,  his  eyes  rested  on  the  face  of 
a  clock.  What  a  large  segment  of  a  circle  the  minute 
hand  had  described  since  he  last  marked  the  hour ! 
The  old  man's  heart  beat  quicker  and  stronger.  Two 
evils  were  before  him — mercantile  dishonor,  or  an  ap- 
plication to  Wellford  for  a  temporary  loan.  He  had 
no  time  now  to  cast  about  for  any  other  resource ;  and, 
even  the  one  that  seemed  to  offer  must  be  used  quickly 
if  used  at  all. 

It  would  be  hard  to  describe  the  feelings  of  Mr.  Bull- 
finch, as  he  dragged  himself  along  in  the  direction  of 
Lane,  Latta  &  Co.'s.  No  physical  suffering  could  have 
been  so  dreaded,  as  was  the  meeting  with  Mr.  Well- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  265 

ford,  to  whom  he  knew  the  application  fu-  money  must 
be  made. 

"  Is  Mr.  Wellford  in  ?"  he  asked,  in  a  voice  far  from 
being  as  composed  as  he  couid  wish,  on  entering  the 
store. 

"  You  will  find  him  back  in  the  counting-room,"  was 
answered,  and  the  old  gentleman  moved  down  the  store. 
It  so  happened  that  Wellford  was  alone  in  the  counting- 
room.  He  saw  Mr.  Bullfinch  approaching,  and,  hav- 
ing heard  that  he  was  a  loser  by  the  failure  in  New 
York,  inferred  at  once  the  purport  of  his  visit. 

"  Mr.  Bullfinch.  How  are  you  ?"  said  he  kindly,  aa 
he  advanced  to  meet  him.  Seeing  that  the  old  man 
was  much  embarrassed,  he  anticipated  his  request  by 
saying — 

"  Can  we  do  anything  for  you,  to-day  ?" 

"If  you  have  some  twenty-three  hundred  dollars 
over,  you  can,"  was  stammered  out. 

"We  can  check  for  as  much,"  said  Wellford  cheer- 
fully. "  How  long  will  you  want  it  ?" 

"  For  three  or  four  days,  if  you  can  spare  it  so  long," 
replied  Mr.  Bullfinch. 

"  Say  for  a  week,"  replied  Wellford,  as  he  stepped 
back  to  a  desk,  and  took  down  the  check-book. 

A  few  minutes  after  Mr.  Bullfinch  entered  the  store, 
he  came  out  with  a  check  in  his  hand  for  the  sum 


266        THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

needed.  In  one  respect,  his  mind  was  relieved ;  but, 
in  another,  it  was  heavily  burdened.  There  was  not  a 
man  living  from  whom  in  obligation  could  have  been 
received  with  more  reluctance.  Nothing  but  the  fear- 
ful consequences  just  ready  to  be  visited  upon  him, 
would  ever  have  driven  him  to  this  resort. 

It  did  not  escape  the  observation  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch, 
when  her  husband  came  in,  much  later  than  usual,  to 
dinner,  that  he  was  suffering  from  more  than  ordinary 
disturbance  of  mind ;  nor  did  she  fail  to  remark  that 
while  he  ate  with  none  of  his  accustomed  relish  for  food 
he  drank  wine  almost  as  freely  as  if  it  were  water.  The 
consequence  she  dreaded,  came.  When  he  arose,  at 
length,  from  the  table,  he  was  so  much  affected  by  the 
unusual  quantity  of  wine  taken,  that  Helen  had  to  as- 
sist him  up  stairs.  Insensibility  followed,  from  which 
he  was  not  aroused  until  a  late  tea  hour,  when  he  took 
a  single  strong  cup  of  coffee,  and  then  went  out  for  the 
evening.  At  eleven  o'clock  he  came  home,  in  little 
better  condition  than  when  he  left  the  dinner  table.  In 
the  morning,  he  was  himself  again,  and  prepared  for 
another  day's  struggle  with  fortune.  A  too  distinct 
remembrance  of  the  previous  day's  trials,  and  especially 
the  mode  in  which  he  had  saved  himself  from  ruin,  in 
no  way  tended  to  the  promotion  of  a  cheerful  spirit. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  267 

Heavily  contracted  his  brow,  as  he  sat  at  the  unenjoyed 
and  silent  breakfast. 

"  Can  you  let  me  have  some  money,  to-day?"  asked 
Mrs.  Bullfinch,  as  he  arose  from  the  table. 

The  words  of  his  wife  seemed  most  unwelcome,  for 
his  already  knit  brows  gained  instantly  a  few  more  lines, 
and  he  said,  rather  impatiently — 

"  Money  !     For  what  1     How  much  do  you  want  ?" 

"  None  for  myself,"  replied  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  in  a  voice 
•which  showed  that  she  was  hurt  by  his  manner.  "  The 
bread  bill  and  the  milk  bill  have  not  yet  been  paid, 
and  the  waiter  wants  twenty  dollars  that  are  due  her." 

"  Very  well — milk  man,  bread  man,  and  waiter,  can't 
be  accommodated,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  gruffly. 

"  I  told  them  all  that  they  should  have  their  money 
to-day,"  said  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  in  some  perplexity  of  man- 
ner. 

"  Can't  help  it.  They  must  wait.  Money  don't  al- 
ways come  when  you  call  for  it.  At  least,  not  to  me." 

And  without  waiting  a  reply  from  his  wife,  whose 
flushing  face  warned  him  that  he  had  spoken  too  un- 
guardedly, Mr.  Bullfinch  turned  off  abruptly,  and  left 
the  house. 


CHAPTER  XXY. 

WE  need  not  linger  to  trace,  successively,  th«  down- 
ward steps  taken  by  Adam  Bullfinch,  whether  as  a 
man  or  a  merchant.  Accumulating  years,  and  sensual 
indulgence,  had  united  to  dim  the  clearness  of  his  in- 
tellect. A  merchant  of  the  old  school,  if  he  had  been 
wise  enough  to  keep  to  the  old  school  doctrines  of  cau- 
tion, close  calculation,  and  contentment  with  moderate, 
but  sure  returns,  all  would  have  been  well  with  him  in 
respect  to  worldly  goods.  But,  having  taken  a  young 
wife,  Mr.  Bullfinch  felt  himself  quite  a  young  man,  and 
must  needs  act  as  he  felt.  ,  "  The  mind,"  he  vainly  said 
to  himself,  "  never  grows  old.  The  body  may  bend 
with  accumulating  years ;  but  the  immortal  soul  knows 
Dot  the  touch  of  time.  I  have  now  a  brighter  and 
stronger  intellect,  a  clearer  reason,  than  I  possessed 
twenty  years  ago,  and  am  more  capable  of  doing  busi- 
ness— and  more  far-seeing  as  a  merchant." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    LftlDE.  269 

And  so,  Mr.  Bullfinch,  pulling  up  the  old  landmarks 
• — despising  the  old-fashioned  lessons  of  wisdom,  by  an 
adherence  to  which  he  had  slowly  accumulated  a  for- 
tune, threw  himself  forward  in  a  contest  with  th 
sharp,  shrewd,  unscrupulous,  nothing-venture-nothing- 
gain  class  of  merchants,  and  in  a  wonderfully  brief 
period,  came  out  of  the  struggle  an  utterly  ruined  man. 

Having  broken  the  ice  with  Mr.  Well  ford,  Mr.  Bull- 
finch, as  his  efforts  to  save  himself  grew  more  and  more 
desperate,  forced  himself  to  make  repeated  applications 
in  that  quarter,  and  in  most  cases  with  success. 

"  I'm  afraid,"  said  the  resident  senior  partner  of  the 
house,  speaking  one  day  to  Mr.  Wellford,  "  that  old 
Bullfinch  is  not  in  a  safe  condition. 

"  I  begin  to  have  some  doubts  myself,"  was  answered. 

"  Some  one  told  me,  this  morning,  that  he  takes  too 
much  wine." 

A  shadow  passed  over  the  young  man's  face,  as  he 
said — 

"  O  no.     That  must  be  a  mistake." 

"  I  hope  so  ;  but,  his  appearance  rather  confirms  the 
assertion." 

A  mercantile  acquaintance  coming  in  at  the  time,  tho 
subject  was  continued,  and  the  question  asked  as  to  his 
opinion  of  the  old  gentleman's  habits. 

"I'm  told,  on  good  authority,"  was  unhesitatingly 


270  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

answered,  "  that  he  drinks  like  a  fish,  —  never  goes  U 
bed  a  night  in  his  life  that  he  is  not  stupid  as  a  beast" 

Wellford  sighed  deeply.  His  thoughts  were  with 
Helen  ;  and  his  sympathy  for  her  painfully  excited. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  his  business  ?"  inquired  Mr. 


u  He's  sound,  I  suppose." 

"  He  seems  hard  run  for  money  just  now,"  said  Mr. 
Lane. 

"  I  know  ;  and,  what  is  more,  has  been  paying  enor- 
mous rates  for  some  months  past." 

"  No  man  is  safe  in  these  times,"  was  remarked. 

"  That's  true  enough.  Men  who  seemed  firm  as  the 
eternal  hills,  have  toppled  over,  involving  numbers  be- 
low them  in  utter  ruin.  As  for  Bullfinch,  I  have,  be- 
tween you  and  me  and  the  post,  my  own  private  opin- 
ion for  my  own  private  action." 

"  What  is  that  ?"  inquired  Wellford. 

"  As  to  the  opinion,  I  need  not  speak  ;  the  action 
•will  be  sufficiently  demonstrative.  In  a  word  then,  I 
'  eclined  selling  him  a  bill  of  goods  yesterday." 

"  You  did  2" 

"It's  true." 

"  Of  what  amount  ?" 

"Five  thousand  dollars.  Do  you  want  to  know 
why!" 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  27 1 

"  Of  course." 

"  This,  then,  for  your  ears.  Two  or  three  days  ago  I 
saw  certain  packages,  just  arrived  from  New  York, 
taken  to  his  store ;  and,  yesterday  morning,  I  saw  tha 
same  packages  sold  at  auction,  below  the  market  price. 
Do  you  understand  ?" 

"  Clearly." 

"An  hour  afterwards  he  wanted  to  make  a  good 
round  bill  with  me,  but  I  declined." 

"  And  you  were  right,"  said  Mr.  Lane,  firmly.  u  We 
are  obliged  to  you  for  the  hint.  We  have  been  lend- 
ing him  pretty  freely  of  late  ;  but  shall  have  to  be  less 
liberal  of  our  favors." 

Scarcely  had  the  neighbor  left  the  store,  when  Mr. 
Bullfinch  was  seen  to  enter. 

"You  musn't  lend  him  anything  more,"  said  Mr. 
Lane. 

"  Very  well,"  replied  the  younger  partner,  averting 
his  face. 

Mi'.  Lane  retired  to  his  own  private  counting-room, 
and  Wellford  met  the  old  man,  who  came  up  to  him  in 
a  half  cringing  manner,  yet,  evidently,  under  a  strong 
feeling  of  reluctance. 

"  How  are  you  off  for  money  to-day  ?"  inquired  Mr 
Bullfinch  in  a  low  voice. 

"  Nothing  to  spare,"  was  the  firmly  spoken  answec, 


2*72  THB  OLD  MAN'S  BKIDE. 

"  Will  you  want  the  three  thousand  I  was  to  return 
this  morning?" 

Wellford  reflected  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  re» 
plied : 

"  If  it  will  be  any  accommodation  to  you,  that  may 
be  deferred  until  to-morrow.  But  we  will  "ertainly 
want  it  then." 

"  Thank  you — thank  you.  I  will  bring  it  around  in 
the  morning.  Are  you  certain  you  can't  spare  a  thou- 
sand to-day  f 

"  Oliite  certain." 

*'  Good  morning ;"  and  the  old  gentleman  with  a  disap- 
pointment he  could  not  conceal,  retired  from  the  store. 

It  was  after  two  o'clock,  and  Wellford  was  about 
leaving  to  go  home  and  dine,  when  Mr.  Bullfinch  con- 
fronted him  again,  and  said,  with  a  beseeching  earnest 
ness — 

"  You  must  help  me  once  more,  my  young  friend." 

"  Impossible."     And  Wellford  shook  his  head. 

"  Don't  say  that.  If  you  havn't  a  thousand  dollars 
in  bank,  lend  me  your  check  dated  two  or  three  days 
ahead  ;  that  will  answer  my  purpose  just  as  well." 

Wellford  repeated  his  negative. 

"  You  must  help  me,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  much  ex- 
cited. "  I  am  just  one  thousand  dollars  short,  and 
have  tried  every  possible  means  to  raise  the  money. 


THE  OI,D  MAN'S  BRIDE.  273 

Frankly  and  confidentially" — ho  bent  close  to  Well- 
ford's  ear — "  I  have  come  to  you  as  my  last  resort, 
If  you  do  not  help  me  now,  I  shall  be  protested." 

There  was  something  in  the  old  man's  voice  that 
Wellford  could  hardly  withstand.  It  would  have  been 
withstood,  however,  had  not  a  vision  of  Helen  came  to 
his  mind.  Silently  he  turned  to  his  desk,  and  filling 
up  a  check  for  a  thousand  dollars,  handed  it  without  a 
word,  to  Mr.  Bullfinch,  who,  grasping  it  nervously,  hur- 
ried away  to  prolong,  for  a  brief  season,  the  unequal 
struggle  he  was  endeavoring  to  maintain. 

On  the  next  day,  he  did  not  call  to  return  the  three 
thousand  dollars,  as  he  had  promised  Wellford.  The 
loan  of  an  additional  thousand,  after  what  had  passed 
between  Mr.  Lane  and  his  junior  partner,  displeased  the 
former  a  good  deal,  and  caused  him  to  speak  so  plainly 
that  the  latter  was  hurt  and  slightly  offended.  Some 
rather  sharp  words  passed  between  them,  which,  but  for 
the  good  sense  of  both  parties,  might  have  led  to  an 
open  rupture,  and  a  consequent  withdrawal  of  Well- 
ford  from  the  house. 

On  the  day  but  one  following,  the  mercantile  com- 
munity was  startled  by  the  announcement  of  another 
failure — that  of  Adam  Bullfinch  ;  and  a  very  bad  fail* 
ure  it  proved  to  be.  When,  under  an  assignment,  hia 
affairs  were  subjected  to  investigation,  it  was  found  that 


274  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

he  was  hopelessly  insolvent.  Nor  were  his  creditors  at 
all  satisfied  with  the  reckless  manner  in  which  he 
seemed  to  have  been  doing  business  for  some  time. 
Goods  had  been  purchased  on  credit,  in  large  quantities, 
and  sent  immediately  to  neighboring  cities  and  sold  at 
auction,  for  cash,  at  less  than  the  purchase  prices  ;  enor 
mous  discounts  had  been  submitted  to  on  temporary 
loans ;  and  other  doubtful  and  reckless  expedients  re- 
sorted to,  by  which  means  thousands  and  thousands  of 
dollars  had  been  wasted.  This  was  his  new  mode  of 
doing  business,  in  accordance  with  the  more  enterpris- 
ing spirit  of  the  times,  into  which  the  increasing  vigor 
and  clearness  of  his  mental  powers  were  enticing  him ! 
Had  Mr.  Bullfinch  stopped  payment  six  months 
before  he  would  have  come  out  with  a  clear  surplus  of 
over  fifty  thousand  dollars.  But,  in  struggling,  and 
sacrificing,  and  hoping  for  some  new  turn  of  fortune, 
under  the  impulse  of  his  modernized  views,  of  business, 
he  wasted  everything  to  such  a  degree,  that  even  bor- 
rowed money  debts  were  unprovided  for,  while  his 
whole  estate  was  so  impoverished,  that  the  most  san- 
guine would  have  sold  out  their  claims  against  it  for 
forty  cents  on  the  dollar  !  His  business  indebtedness 
to  Lane,  Latta  &  Co.  was  five  thousand  dollars,  and 
his  obligations  to  the  same  house,  for  borrowed  money 
six  thousand  more. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  2*75 

So  utterly  insolvent  was  the  estate  of  Mr.  Bullfinch, 
that  his  application  for  an  extension  of  time,  in  order 
that  he  might  go  on  and  recover  himself,  was  at  once 
voted  down  in  the  meeting  of  creditors.  His  as- 
signment was  accepted,  and  the  net  value  of  the 
estate  realized  as  quickly  as  possible. 

The  house  in  which  Mr.  Bullfinch  resided  was  his 
own,  and  was  worth  about  ten  thousand  dollars.  It 
was,  however,  under  mortgage  for  nearly  its  full  value. 
Two  or  three  smaller  houses  were  also  included  in  the 
deed  of  assignment.  Through  the  personal  influence 
of  Mr.  Wellford,  one  of  these,  with  the  household 
effects  of  the  debtor,  were  presented  by  the  creditors  to 
Mrs.  Bullfinch.  But  for  the  fact,  that  one  or  two  of 
the  creditors,  who  had  heard  something  of  Wellford's 
former  relation  to  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  and  who  not  only 
highly  respected  the  young  man,  but  were  men  enough 
to  appreciate  his  motives  and  feelings  in  the  present 
case  ;  but  for  the  fact  that  these,  we  say,  seconded  tha 
generous  proposal,  the  family  of  the  broken  merchant 
would  have  been  left  homeless  as  well  as  penniless. 


CHAPTEE  XXIV 

MB.  BULLFINCH  was  not  the  man  to  pass  through 
so  terrible  an  ordeal,  and  bear  the  pain  with  but  few 
external  marks  of  suffering.  The  degree  of  agitation 
exhibited,  when  no  eye  but  that  of  his  wife  saw  the 
anguish  of  his  spirit,  was,  at  times,  fearful  to  look 
upon.  And  yet,  almost  to  the  last,  he  hid  from  her 
the  cause,  notwithstanding  she  appealed  to  him,  again 
and  again,  in  the  tenderest  manner,  to  make  her  the 
sharer  of  his  trouble.  At  last,  the  truth  could  no 
longer  be  concealed.  Up  to  the  final  moment,  he 
struggled  to  sustain  himself  with  a  tenacity  of  mercan- 
tile life  rarely  shown.  All  was  activity  and  profound 
agitation,  until  hope  spread  out  her  pinions  and  flew 
away !  Then  a  deep  calm  fell  upon  his  spirit. 

"  It  is  all  over,"  said  he  in  a  composed  voice,  to  his 
confidential  clerk.  "  I  have  done  all  in  human  power 
to  accomplish.  The  crash  is  coming  at  last.  Whether 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  277 

I  shall  coine  out  alive  from  beneath  the  ruins,  or  b< 
crushed  to  death  by  the  fall,  is  more  than  our  weak 
foresight  can  determine.  I  think  I  am  prepared  for  the 
worst ;  but  we  are  only  mortal  at  best." 

The  state  of  mind  in  which  her  husband  had,  for 
weeks,  returned  from  his  business,  caused  Mrs.  Bullfinch 
to  look,  daily,  for  his  coming,  with  something  of  dread. 
On  this  particular  occasion,  the  dinner  hour  had  long 
passed,  yet  he  was  still  away.  This,  as  it  was  not  an 
unusual  thing,  caused  her  no  greater  concern  than  she 
had  been  daily  suffering.  At  last,  she  heard  him  enter, 
and  listened  with  more  interest,  perhaps,  than  common 
to  his  deliberate  step,  as  he  moved  along  the  passage, 
and  ascended  the  stairs.  It  was  the  old,  familiar  tread, 
to  which  her  ear  had  become  accustomed ;  and  yet, 
there  was  something  in  it  that  marked  a  change  in  her 
husband's  state  of  mind — whether  favorable,  or  other- 
wise, her  instincts  were  not  informed — and  she  waited, 
with  partially  suspended  respiration,  his  entrance.  One 
glance  sufficed.  She  saw  that — whatever  had  been 
the  causes  from  which  he  had  suffered  so  profoundly  of 
late — the  struggle  was  over.  His  brow,  where  deep 
lines  had  fixed  themselves  for  months  past,  was  smooth, 
as  if  anxious  care  had  never  laid  thereon  a  finger ;  but, 
smooth  as  it  was,  it  reflected  not  a  single  ray  of  light 
His  eye  had  lost  its  quick  motion,  and  now  looked 


S7S  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

heavy  and  fireless,     His   lips,  long  so  tightly  drawn 
together,  or  arched   with  earnest  thought,  were  gently 
parted,  and  almost   expressionless.     His  body,  usually 
erect,  was  slightly  bent  forward.     He  was  an  impersor 
ation  of  hopeless,  yet  patient  endurance. 

"  Mr.  Bullfinch  !"  exclaimed  Helen,  starting  forward, 
and  laying  her  hand,  with  an  earnest  pressure,  on  his 
arm,  "  what  has  happened  ?" 

"  Sit  down,"  said  he,  in  a  voice  so  strangely  unfami- 
liar to  the  ears  of  his  wife,  that  the  tones  chilled  her, 
"  and  I  will  tell  you  all.  Concealment  were  no  longer 
a  virtue." 

Helen  suffered  him  to  lead  her  to  a  chair.  Taking 
one  beside  her,  and  still  holding  her  hand,  he  con- 
tinued— 

"  Helen — when  I  asked  you  to  become  my  wife,  I 
was  rich.  I  offered  you  all  the  comforts  and  elegancies 
that  wealth  could  buy.  Even  with  these  to  lay  at  your 
feet,  I  have  failed  to  make  you  happy.  Heaven  knows 
the  pleasure  it  has  ever  given  me  to  see  a  smile  light 
up  your  countenance — alas !  how  few  and  feeble  they 
have  ever  been." 

He  uttered  the  last  words  quickly,  and  with  a  slight 
unsteadiness  in  his  voice.  A  moment  he  averted  his 
face,  and  then  resumed — 

"  Helen,  as  I  have  just  said,  when  I  asked  you  to 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  271 

become  my  wife,  I  was  rich.  But,  this,  day,  I  am  a 
beggar !" 

He  paused,  and  looked  anxiously  into  the  face  of  his 
wife.  The  change  he  had  expected  was  not  visible. 
She  did  not  start,  nor  grow  pale,  nor  weep. 

"  Did  you  understand  me,  Helen  ?  I  said  that  I  was 
a  beggar.  When  I  married  you,  T  promised  all  the 
good  things '  that  wealth  could  procure.  This  day,  I 
am  reduced  to  poverty." 

"  Wealth  alone !"  replied  Helen,  in  a  composed  voice, 
"  never  made  a  heart  happy.  True  satisfaction  of  mind 
has  its  source  in  a  higher  spring. 

The  old  man  was  greatly  moved  by  so  unexpected  a 
reception  of  his  communication.  He  had  long  since 
let  go  the  delusion,  that,  for  any  other  attraction  than 
his  wealth,  his  wife  had  consented  to  wed.  She  had 
plainly  enough  declared  this  in  the  beginning,  but,  in 
his  blind  self-delusion,  he  would  not  believe  the  asser- 
tion. Alas !  in  what  rigid  and  unmistakable  forma 
had  the  truth  been  since  presented  to  his  mind.  Nuw 
that  wealth  was  gone,  he  felt  that  the  only  uniting 
bond  was  severed,  and  in  the  hopeless  spirit  of  a  mar- 
tyr, he  made  this  declaration  of  his  changed  foi  tunes. 

No  wonder  such  an  unexpected  reception  of  hia 
announcement  moved  him  deeply. 

"  Did  you  understand  me,  Helen  ?"  he  asked. 


THE    OLD    MAK'S    BRIDE. 

"  I  believe  so,"  she  answered. 

"  I  am  rich  no  longer.  This  day,  I  have  failed  to 
meet  my  payments,  and  to-morrow,  all  I  have  in  the 
world  must  be  surrendered  to  my  creditors.  Do  you 
comprehend  the  meaning  of  all  this  ?" 

"  Clearly,"  said  Helen. 

"  But  can  you  bear  the  change  that  comes  inevi- 
tably r 

"  I  have  borne  it  once,"  she  replied.  "  I  can  bear  it 
again." 

"  Once !" 

For  an  instant,  Mr.  Bullfinch  did  not  comprehend 
his  wife.  But  memory  quickly  made  all  clear.  Her 
father  had,  from  wealth,  been  reduced  to  extreme 
poverty.  How  well  he  remembered  all  the  events  con- 
nected with  Mr.  Lee's  failure,  and  the  not  over-generous 
part  that  he  had  acted  as  a  creditor  for  a  small  amount. 

"  Ah  !  now  I  remember,"  he  said,  his  voice  falling. 

"  I  have  borne  reverse  of  fortune,  once,"  repeated 
Helen,  "  and  I  can  bear  it  again  ;  with  some  fortitude 
I  trust,  for  I  am  stronger  now." 

Mr.  Bullfinch  gazed  upon  his  wife  in  silent  wonder. 
There  were  no  marks  of  pain  or  fear  on  her  counte 
nance,  that  wore  an  elevated,  truly  dignified  aspect. 
With  what  a  shrinking  reluctance  had  he  looked  to  this 
stern  necessity — how  he  had  dreaded  the  effect  upon 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BKIDB.  281 

his  wife  of  the  announcement  she  had  received  so 
calmly !  For  a  little  while,  he  was  sustained  by  her 
fortitude.  This,  however,  was  but  temporary.  Th« 
consequences  to  himself  were  too  direct  and  all-embrac- 
ing ;  and  he  had  too  long  rested  for  happiness  in  the 
external  things  that  wealth  and  social  position  gave,  to 
meet  such  utter  ruin  with  any  philosophical  resignation 
whatever. 

It  was  soon  apparent  to  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  that  her 
husband  had  fallen  never  to  rise  again.  That,  in  the 
destruction  of  his  earthly  fortune,  self-control,  under 
the  pressure  of  appetite  and  habit,  and  self-respect  also, 
were  both  to  a  great  extent  involved.  If  the  announce- 
ment of  his  loss  of  property  had  in  no  way  appalled 
her,  the  too  certain  signs  of  this  personal  abandonment, 
as  they  became  more  and  more  visible,  day  after  day, 
began  to  startle  and  alarm  her  with  glimpses  of  a  pro- 
founder  depth  of  suffering,  if  that  were  possible,  than 
any  she  had  yet  been  called  on  to  endure. 

A  week  or  two  elapsed  before  Mrs.  Bullfinch  began 
to  comprehend  the  exact  position  of  her  husband's 
business.  Finding  that,  under  the  pressure  of  a  great 
calamity,  he  was  fast  losing  all  manly  control  of  him- 
self— in  fact,  drowning  thought,  daily,  in  excessive 
quantities  of  wine  or  brandy,  she  took  direct  means  for 
ascertaining  the  state  of  his  affairs.  That  is,  she  called 


282  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDJE. 

upon  a  merchant  who  had  frequently  visited  at  their 
house,  and  in  whose  good  feeling  and  truthfulness  she 
had  entire  confidence.  From  him  she  learned,  that  the 
declaration  of  Mr.  Bullfinch,  to  the  effect  that  he  was  a 
beggar,  was  no  figure  of  speech.  It  was  then  that  she 
began  to  feel  dizzy,  as  her  eyes  wandered  down  the 
dark  chasm  which  had  suddenly  opened  at  her  feet, 
and  she  could  see  no  bottom.  Had  her  husband  re- 
tained his  balance  of  intellect,  personal  activity,  and 
entire  control  of  his  appetites,  she  would  have  met  the 
change  with  few  emotions  strong  enough  to  leave  an 
external  sign. 

But,  unhappily,  this  was  not  so.  Each  recurring 
day  made  but  the  more  apparent  the  rapidity  with 
which  he  was  sinking  all  the  manly  qualities  of  his 
nature — drowning  everything  of  good  that  remained 
in  the  cup  of  utter  confusion.  Morning  found  him 
sober  and  serious  enough.  A  few  hours  were  then 
devoted  to  the  business  of  conferring  and  acting  with 
the  assignees  of  his  property.  Dinner-time  brought 
him  home  usually  the  worse  for  repeated  glasses  of 
brandy  ;  while  the  afternoon,  and  often  the  evening, 
were  spent  in  sleeping  off  the  effects  of  deeper  pota- 
tions. 

One  day  he  came  home  greatly  agitated. 


THE   OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  283 

"  All  gone !"  he  exclaimed,  on  meeting  his  wife. 
44  Everything  swallowed  up.  Ruin  !  utter  ruin  1" 

"  I  know  the  worst,"  said  Helen. 

"  They  will  leave  us  nothing  !  House — household 
effects — everything  is  to  be  swept  away !  I  never  saw 
such  rapacity — such  want  of  humanity." 

It  is  scarcely  to  be  wondered  that  the  face  of  Mrs. 
Bullfinch  grew  paler  now ;  nor,  that  her  lips  were 
tremulous  as  she  said — 

"  They  will  at  least  spare  us  these."  And  her  eyes 
glanced  around  the  room  in  which  they  were  sitting. 

"Nothing.  All  must  go!  It  is  dreadful!  Let  a 
man  once  become  unfortunate,  and  his  fellow  men  hunt 
him  to  the  death  as  if  he  were  a  criminal." 

Mrs.  Bullfinch  replied  not.  But  her  thoughts  were 
busy  with  new  images,  that  took  more  fearful  and 
repulsive  forms. 

As  it  had  been  for  weeks  before,  it  happened  on  this 
afternoon,  Mr.  Bullfinch  sought  temporary  oblivio  a  m 
wine. 


CHAPTER  XXVH. 

THE  day  had  nearly  closed,  and  Mrs.  Bullfinch  was 
alone,  brooding  over  the  dark  prospect  that  opened  to 
view  in  the  future,  and  striving  to  find  strength  for  what 
was  before  her,  in  considerations  of  duty,  when  she  was 
informed  that  two  gentlemen  had  called  and  wished  to 
see  her.  Their  names  were  sent  up,  and  she  remem- 
bered them  as  merchants  and  friends  of  her  husband. 
After  a  few  hurried  changes  in  her  dress,  and  a  strong 
effort  to  compose  her  exterior,  she  descended  to  the 
parlors.  She  was  met  by  the  two  gentlemen — both 
of  whom  were  struck  with  her  womanly  dignity  and 
repose  of  manner — with  a  deferential  courtesy,  that, 
under  the  circumstances,  was  grateful  to  her  feelings. 

"  Our  visit,  Mrs.  Bullfinch,"  said  one  of  them,  "  is 
painful,  and  yet  pleasant.  In  your  husband's  misfor- 
tunes we  sympathize,  and  we  sympathise  with  you  in 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BKIDE.  285 

particular,  as  being  necessarily  a  sharer  in  any  evil  that 
affects  him.  Of  the  extent  of  his  losses,  you  are,  of 
course,  aware." 

Mrs.  Bullfinch  bowed. 

"  You  know  that  his  estate  will  not  pay  the  claims 
against  it  ? " 

She  bowed  again. 

"  Creditors,"  he  resumed,  "  are  never  over  consider- 
ate of  debtors.  The  first  impression  of  a  loss  sours  the 
feelings  and  creates  hardness.  Therefore,  in  dealing 
summarily  with  a  debtor,  they  are  apt  to  be  uninflu- 
enced by  any  considerations  of  humanity.  But  I  am 
pleased  to  say,  that,  in  the  present  case,  some  better 
feelings  have  prevailed.  Your  husband's  creditors, 
called  back  to  right  considerations,  by  one  of  their  num- 
ber, have  instructed  us  to  present  you,  as  your  own 
property,  one  of  the  houses  included  in  his  estate.  This 
pleasant  duty  we  have  now  called  to  perform — here  aro 
the  title  deeds  duly  authenticated." 

And  he  handed  the  papers  to  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  who 
took  them  in  silence.  She  was  too  much  affected  to 
reply. 

"  And  we  are  further  instructed  to  say,  that  all  your 
household  furniture,  plate,  jewelry,  (fee.,  are  likewise  pre- 
sented to  you." 

"  Say  to  them  in  return,"  replied  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  as 


286  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

soon  as  she  could  command  her  voice,  "  that  one  who 
has  a  second  time  in  life  felt  the  iron  hand  of  misfor- 
tune, thanks  them  with  a  grateful  heart." 

She  spoke  with  feeling,  txnd  yet  with  a  degree  of  self- 
Dossession,  and  evidence  of  fortitude,  that  filled  them 
with  admiration.  As  they  arose  to  depart,  one  of  them 
said — 

"A  creditor  of  your  husband's  was  alluded  to  as 
having  instigated  the  others  to  this  act.  I  don't  know 
why  I  should  mention  his  name ;  but  it  seems  as  if  he 
should  get  the  credit  of  his  generous  impulse.  I  am 
not  aware  that  you  ever  met  him  personally  ;  or  that 
he  is  a  particular  friend  of  Mr.  Bullfinch.  His  name  is 
Wellford — one  of  the  firm  of  Lane,  Latta  &  Co." 

The  sudden  flush  that  came  into  the  face  of  Helen, 
was  not  unmarked  by  her  visitors.  But  its  meaning 
they  did  not  comprehend. 

From  their  elegant  home,  the  broken  merchant  and 
his  family  in  due  time  retired.  The  small  house, 
remote  from  their  old  place  of  abode,  which  the  gene- 
rous consideration  of  the  creditors  of  Mr.  Bullfinch  had 
reserved  for  his  wife,  received  them,  and  there  they  be- 
gan their  new  life ;  rather  be  it  said — there  Helen  began 
her  new  life.  As  for  Mr.  Bullfinch,  he  lived  little  more 
than  the  life  of  a  beast ;  and  Mrs.  Leo,  the  mother  of 
Helen,  when  reverse  of  fcrtune  came,  found  good  rea- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  287 

eons  for  deserting  her  daughter  and  seeking  another 
home,  in  a  distant  city,  with  a  wealthy  relative. 

A  year  sufficed  to  exhaust  nearly  all  the  resources  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bullfinch.  Surplus  furniture  and  plate 
had  been  sold,  and  on  the  money  this  yielded,  they  had 
lived.  No  employment  had  been  sought  by  Mr.  Bull- 
fiuch ;  and,  for  a  portion  of  nearly  every  day  during  the 
year,  he  was  unfit  for  intelligent  duty. 

At  last,  articles  of  necessity  had  to  be  parted  with  in 
order  to  procure  the  daily  supply  of  meat  and  drink — 
the  drink  costing,  usually,  more  than  the  meat.  And 
so  it  went  on,  until  extremity  came.  Before  this  was 
reached,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  had  anxiously  debated  the  ques- 
tion of  personal  effort  on  her  part  for  thft  support  of 
herself  and  husband.  She  had  the  same  ability  to  earn 
money  as  before  her  marriage ;  but,  pride  and  womanly 
delicacy  both  took  alarm  the  moment  the  thought  came 
iuto  her  mind,  and  both  argued  strongly  against  thu 
suggestion.  But,  necessity  toys  not  with  inclination 
Sternly  she  bends  all  to  her  will. 

"Let  me  have  a  dollar,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,   one 
orning,  to  his  wife,  as  he  was  preparing,  soon  after 
breakfast,  to  go  out. 

Helen  opened  her  purse,  with  a  kind  of  half  involun- 
tary movement — showed  him  the  inside,  and  answered, 
gloomily — 


U88  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  I  have  nothing." 

"  Nothing ! "     He  looked  surprised. 

"  Not  a  single  cent,"  was  answered. 

"  I  gave  you  twenty  dollars  of  the  money  for  which 
the  clock,  sofa  and  ottomans  sold." 

"  I  know  ;  but  half  of  it  was  owed  at  the  store  ;  and 
the  remainder  has  been  expended  to  keep  the  table." 

"  What  are  we  to  do  ?  "  said  the  old  man  as  he  took 
off  his  hat,  laid  aside  his  cane,  and  sat  down  with  an 
air  of  despondency. 

"  I  do  not  know,"  Helen  sighed  as  she  spoke. 

"  We  can't  starve,"  said  Mr.  Bullfinch,  fretfully. 

Helen  did  not  answer. 

"  I've  tried  hard  to  get  into  some  employment,"  con- 
tinued the  old  man,  still  in  a  fretful  voice.  "  But  it's 
all  been  of  no  use.  Oh,  dear !  W7hat  is  to  become 
of  us  1  We  must  live." 

Still  his  wife  remained  silent.  She  knew  the  thought 
\vas  in  his  mind  ;  and  momentarily  expected  what  came 
next — 

"  The  fact  is,  Helen,"  said  he,  firmly  and  positively, 
"  we  shall  have  to  sell  this  house.  It  will  bring  three 
thousand  dollars.  It's  no  use  to  keep  it,  if  we  must 
starve." 

Mrs.  Bullfinch  shook  her  head. 


THK  OLD  MAN'S  PRIDE.  280 

M  What  are  we  to  do  ?  Have  you  any  money  with 
which  to  buy  bread  ? " 

"  Not  now."  It  was  plain  from  her  manner,  as  well 
as  from  the  altered  tone  of  her  voice,  that  her  mind 
had  come  to  a  sudden  conclusion.  "  But  I  will  get 
what  we  want,  at  least  for  the  present." 

"  Where  ? "  inquired  her  husband. 

"  I  can't  answer  your  question  now.  Enough,  that  I 
•will  procure  money  for  the  supply  of  immediate  wants. 
As  to  parting  with  our  home,  there  must  be  greater  ex- 
tremity than  now  exists  before  I  consent  to  the  sale. 
While  we  have  that  in  possession,  there  is  a  place  where 
we  can,  at  least,  hide  ourselves  from  the  world." 

"  And  starve,"  said  the  old  man,  impatiently. 

"  I  will  take  care  that  we  do  not  starve." 

"  You  ?  Where  are  your  resources  ?  Have  you 
money  hid  away  ?  I  thought  you  said,  just  now,  that 
you  had  not  a  penny." 

"  Nor  have  I.  But  I  will,  as  I  said,  procure  enough 
to  supply  present  needs." 

As  to  how  and  where  she  expected  to  get  mouey, 
Mrs.  Bullfinch  would  give  her  husband  no  satisfaction. 
Soou  after,  the  old  man  went  out,  and  took  his  way  to 
the  business  quarters  of  the  city.  He  had  tasted  no 
stimulating  drink  since  the  night  before,  and  was  now 
burning  with  an  intense  desire  for  a  glass  of  brandy. 
13 


290        THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

But  he  had  no  money  with  which  to  procure  the  wished  for 
indulgence.  All  at  once  a  suggestion  came  to  his  mind. 
At  first  he  pushed  it  aside  with  a  feeling  of  shame.  It 
"eturned,  and  was  now  dwelt  upon.  The  expedient 
proposed  was  simple  and  almost  certain  of  success ;  yet 
the  old  manliness  and  independence  of  feeling  fought 
against  its  adoption.  But,  resistance  grew  feebler  and 
feebler,  as  thirst  became  stronger.  At  last  appetite 
gained  the  advantage.  Then,  with  a  quickened  pace, 
he  moved  forward,  and  kept  on  until  he  reached  Front 
street,  near  Chestnut.  There  were  few  merchants  in 
that  neighborhood  with  whom  he  was  not  well  ac- 
quainted. Into  one  of  these  stores  he  entered. 

"  How  are  you,  Mr.  Bullfinch  ? "  The  salutation  was 
cordial,  as  the  person  addressing  him  held  out  his  hand. 

"  Pretty  well,  thank  you,"  said  the  old  man,  in  no 
very  cheerful  voice. 

"  What  are  you  doing  now  ?  I  havn't  seen  you  in 
this  neighborhood  for  months." 

"Not  a  great  deal.  When  men  at  my  age  are 
pushed  aside,  it  is  pretty  much  all  over  with  them.  The 
sooner  they  are  out  of  the  world  the  better,  perhaps, 
for  them  and  the  world  too." 

"  Don't  talk  in  that  way,  Mr.  Bullfinch." 

"  How  can  I  help  it  ?  But,  I  woir  t  worry  you  with 
my  grumbling.  I've  called  to  ask  a  small  favor." 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  291 

"  "Well,  what  is  it  ?     Let  me  hear  ? " 

"  Will  you  lend  me  five  dollars  ? " 

"Certainly,"  replied  the  merchant.  And  he  took 
from  his  pocket  book  a  bill  and  handed  it  to  Mr.  Bull- 
finch. The  act  was  prompt  and  cheerful. 

"  Thank  you  !  Thank  you  ! "  said  the  old  man,  his 
partly  averted  countenance  flushing  with  both  pleasure 
and  shame.  "  You  are  very  kind.  I  will  return  it  to- 
morrow." 

"  Don't  trouble  yourself.  It  will  do  at  any  time," 
was  kindly  answered. 

Mr.  Bullfinch  went  quickly  from  the  store.  Soon 
after,  he  was  sitting  in  a  neighboring  tavern  with  a  bot- 
tle of  wine  before  him. 

As  soon  as  her  husband  left  the  house,  Mrs.  Bullfinch 
went  to  her  chamber,  and  unlocking  a  private  drawer, 
took  therefrom  a  small  ebony  box,  richly  inlaid  with 
gold.  Within,  were  a  few  articles  of  jewelry  and  a  gold 
watch.  The  intrinsic  value  of  these  was  not  great, 
but,  to  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  they  had  a  value  not  estimated 
oy  common  standards.  The  watch  had  belonged  to 
her  father.  There  was  a  plain  gold  ring  in  the  box,  a 
gift  from  Henry  Wellford,  which  she  never  could  find 
it  in  her  heart  to  return,  though,  after  her  breach  of 
faith,  she  no  longer  considered  herself  privileged  to 
wear  it.  A  cameo  breast-pin,  from  the  same  source, 


292  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

had  also  been  preserved  ;  and,  likewise,  a  pair  of  neat 
agate  ear  drops.  These  were  the  last  lingerers  in  her 
jewel-box.  All  else  had  gone  to  meet  the  common 
wants  of  nature. 

With  what  a  fixed,  sad  look,  did  Mrs.  Bullfinch  si 
and  gaze  on  these  memorials  !  And  must  she  part  with 
them  now  ?  The  thought  was  more  than  she  could 
bear.  Suddenly  shutting  the  box,  and  restoring  it  to 
the  drawer,  she  commenced  moving  about  the  room  in 
a  quick  manner,  her  countenance  showing  earnest 
thought.  Was  there  no  other  temporary  resource  but 
this  ?  How  earnestly  was  her  mind  searching  about 
for  a  way  to  escape  the  sacrifice  !  After  a  while,  she 
paused,  and  bent  her  head,  as  if  debating  some  new 
thought.  A  light  came  into  her  face. 

"  That  may  do,"  was  breathed  audibly.  She  then 
dressed  herself  to  go  out,  and,  after  removing  from  her 
jewel-box  the  ring,  breast-pin,  and  ear-drops,  and 
restoring  them  to  the  drawer,  she  took  the  elegant 
box  and  the  gold  watch  and  left  the  house.  To  the  stor 
of  a  well-known  jeweler,  in  Chestnut  street,  where  she 
had,  nofc  a  very  long  time  previously,  made  liberal  pur- 
chases, she  went  direct.  Something  in  the  manner  of 

Mr.  C ,  the  owner  of  this  store,  had  left  on  her  a 

favorable  impression  as  to  his  kindness  of  heart,  and 
this  had  determined  her  to  ask  of  him  the  particulai 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.  293 

favor  she  wished  granted.  He  was  engaged  with  some 
ladies,  when  she  entered,  and  she,  therefore,  retired 
towards  the  back  part  of  the  store,  to  wait  until,  he  was 
at  leisure.  One  of  the  ladies  she  immediately  recog 
nized  as  an  acquaintance,  with  whom  a  few  formal  visits 
had  been  reciprocated.  Drawing  her  veil  closer,  she 
avoided  a  recognition,  had  the  lady  been  disposed  to 
remember  her.  From  a  momentary  abstraction  of 
mind,  the  words,  "  Bridal  presents,"  uttered  by  one  of 
the  ladies,  drew  her  attention. 

"  Oh,  do  let  me  see  them,  Mr.  C ,"  was  eagerly 

asked. 

The  jeweler  took  from  the  case  a  few  costly  and  ele- 
gant articles,  and  exhibited  them  to  his  customers. 

"  Beautiful !  exquisite  !  charming !"  and  similar  words 
of  admiration  reached  the  ears  of  Mrs  Bullfinch. 

u  Who  is  the  bride  ?  "  was  next  inquired. 

The  tones  of  the  jeweler  were  low,  but  the  name — 
'  Miss  Morgan,"  was  distinctly  heard  by  Mrs.  Bullfinch. 

"  Indeed  !  Oh  !  I  had  heard  of  her  intended  mar- 
riage," said  one  of  the  ladies. 

"  I  wonder  how  her  family  are  pleased  with  tha 
match?  Not  wonderfully  well,  I  should  think,"  gos- 
siped the  other. 

"  Why  not  ?     He  bears  an  excellent  character,  and 


294  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

is  conneted  with  one  of  the  wealthiest  houses  in  th« 
city." 

"  And  yet,"  was  replied,  with  a  half  contemptuous 
toss  of  the  head,  "  his  family  is  nothing.  He  was  a 
poor  young  man  of  whom  nobody  had  heard,  when 
taken  into  his  present  business.  For  my  part,  I  won- 
der at  Sally  Morgan.  She  has  had  better  offers ;  and 
could,  at  any  time,  get  a  husband  in  the  first  social 
rank.  But  there  is  no  accounting  for  tastes." 

"  In  my  opinion,"  said  the  other  lady,  "  he  is  quite 
good  enough  for  her,  and,  if  I  dared  say  it,  too  good. 
Hers  is  an  old  family,  it  is  true,  but  not  without  its 
blemishes.  There's  some  blood  in  it  I  shouldn't  like  to 
have  in  my  veins.  Her  uncle,  as  everybody  knows, 
made  a  wonderfully  narrow  escape.  Most  people  don't 
hesitate  to  say,  that  if  he  had  his  deserts,  he  would  be 
well  acquainted  with  the  walls  of  a  state  prison.  But 
people  will  talk." 

"  Yes,  people  will  talk ;  but  it  doesn't  do  to  pay 
much  attention  to  what  they  say.  With  me,  such 
things  usually  go  in  at  one  ear  and  out  at  the  other. 
As  for  Sally  Morgan,  if  she  likes  him,  why,  I  suppose 
it's  nobody's  business.  She's  got  to  live  with  him." 

M  He'll  make  her  a  good  husband,  without  doubt," 
was  replied. 

"  There's  no  question  of  that,"  now  remarked  the 


THE   OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  295 

jeweler.  "  I've  known  Henry  Wellford  for  some  years, 
and  know  him  to  be  a  true  man.  As  for  Miss  Morgan, 
I  think  she's  made  a  wise  choice." 

Every  word  of  this  conversation  was  heard  distinctly 
by  Mrs.  Bullfinch.  Its  effect  was  marked  by  the  fac 
that  she  arose  up,  and,  with  a  hand  grasping  tightly  her 
veil,  went  quickly  from  the  store. 

"  What  lady  was  that  ? "  inquired  one  of  the  gossip 
ing  customers,  following  with  her  eyes  the  retiring  form 
of  Helen.  "There's  something  familiar  in  her  style 
and  manner." 

"  I  don't  know,"  replied  Mr.  C .     "  Who  was  it, 

James  ? "  addressing  a  clerk. 

M  A  lady  who  wishes  to  speak  with  you,"  was  an- 
swered. 

"  What  did  she  want  ?  " 

"  She  wished  to  see  you,  personally,  about  some- 
thing." 

"You  don't  know  her?" 

"  I'm  not  positive,  sir  ;  but  I  think  it  was  Mrs.  Bull 
finch." 

« Mrs.  Bullfinch ! "  ejaculated  both  of  the  ladies  at 
ence.     "  I  wonder  if  it  was  her ! " 

"  Most  probably,"  said  Mr.  G .     "  I  now  recog- 
nize the  manner  and  appearance,  although  I  did  not 


296  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

see  her  face.  Poor  woman  !  Fortune  has  played  her 
falsely." 

"  She's  served  right,  and  I'm  glad  of  it,"  remarked 
one  of  the  ladies.  "  I've  no  respect  nor  pity  for  a 
voung  girl  who  marries  an  old  man  for  his  money." 

"  It's  a  little  strange  that  she  did  not  wait  until  I 
was  disengaged,"  said  the  jeweler. 

"  I  rather  think  I  can  explain  this,"  said  the  last 
speaker.  "We  mentioned  the  approaching  marriage 
of  Miss  Morgan  and  Mr.  Wellford.  It  is  said  that 
Wellford  was  an  old  lover,  and  that  she  jilted  him 
because  he  was  poor,  and  wedded  old  Bullfinch.  It 
must  have  cut  her  to  the  very  core  when  she  heard 
that  he  was  about  to  marry  into  one  of  the  best  fami- 
lies in  the  State." 

"And  she  in  poverty  and  neglect,"  remarked  tho 
other.  "  So  it  goes.  The  wheel  of  fortune  keeps  turn- 
ing. No  one  who  is  at  the  top  to-day,  can  tell  how 
soon  he  will  be  at  the  bottom." 

But  enough  of  their  remarks.  When  Mr.  Bullfinch 
came  home  at  dinner-time,  he  found  his  wife  lying  on 
the  bed,  in  a  state  of  mental  and  bodily  prostration  so 
alarming,  that  he  deemed  it  best  to  send  immediately 
for  a  physician.  Of  little  use,  however,  were  medical 
Drescriptions.  Days  went  by  ere  she  rallied  from  the 


THK    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDB.  297 

state  In  which  her  husband  found  her,  and  weeks  ere 
she  was  able  once  more  to  get  sufficient  command  of 
her  feelings  to  enter  the  path  of  duty,  and  move,  with  a 
firm  step,  along  the  rugged  way. 


CHAPTER  XXYHI. 

WHY  the  intelligence  of  Mr.  Wellford's  approaching 
marriage  should  have  told  so  disastrously  on  the  mind 
of  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  we  will  not  attempt  to  inform  the 
reader.  That  such  an  event  was  one,  of  all  others, 
among  the  likeliest  to  occur,  she  must  have  known.  If 
the  hope,  scarcely  acknowledged  to  herself,  of  freedom, 
by  the  death  of  her  husband,  from  her  present  bonds, 
and  an  ultimate  union  with  the  only  being  ever  truly 
loved  as  woman  can  love,  really  existed  in  her  heart,  it 
-  had  received  a  total  extinguishment. 

When,  at  length,  she  awoke,  once  more,  to  a  partial 
interest  in  external  things,  and  to  a  dim  sense  of  duty, 
she  found  that  an  extremity  existed  which  made  imme- 
diate action,  on  her  part,  necessary.  During  the  time 
in  which  her  mental  paralysis  continued,  Mr.  Bullfinch 
had  procured  temporary  supplies  of  money,  by  borrow* 
ing  small  sums  from  old  mercantile  friends,  after  the 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  299 

manner  indicated  in  the  preceding  chapter.  But,  a 
failure  to  return  the  little  obligations,  as  promised,  soon 
exhausted  that  resource,  and  absolute  want  of  food 
made  his  proposal  to  raise  a  sum  of  money,  by  mort- 
gage on  their  .house,  one  that  Mrs.  Bullfinch  could  not 
disregard.  But  for  the  intelligence  received  by  her  at 
the  jeweler's,  or  rather  the  effect  of  that  intelligence,  she 
would  have  made  an  effort  to  get  a  few  music  scholars, 
and  thus  removed  the  necessity  for  selling  or  mortgag- 
ing their  home.  To  do  this,  was  still  her  purpose ;  but 
she  had  not  yet  sufficient  strength,  either  of  body  or 
mind,  to  undertake  the  work,  and  so,  after  a  few  feeble 
objections,  consented  to  the  execution  of  a  mortgage 
on  the  house  for  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars.  Her 
husband  proposed  a  thousand,  and,  for  some  time,  con- 
tended for  that  amount.  But,  in  this,  Mrs.  Bullfinch 
was  decided ;  so,  finding  further  parley  useless,  the  old 
man  contented  himself  with  the  smaller  amount,  on 
receipt  of  which,  he  placed  half  the  money  in  the  hands 
of  his  wife,  retaining  the  rest  to  pay  off,  as  he  alleged, 
sums  borrowed  during  the  preceding  three  months,  to 
meet  the  cost  of  living.  It  was  quite  true  that  he  had 
borrowed,  and  to  the  extent  declared ;  but,  as  to  the 
repayment,  that  was  neither  designed  nor  accomplished. 
Scarcely  a  month  elapsed,  during  which  time  Mr. 
Bullfinch  was  in  a  more  besotted  state  than  usual,  ere  the 


300  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BKIDE. 

whole  of  his  share  of  the  five  hundred  dollars  had  dis- 
appeared ;  and  he  applied  to  his  wife  for  money.  She 
had  only  one  hundred  dollars  left;  servant's  wages, sun- 
dry little  amounts  due  to  baker,  milkman,  and  grocer, 
with  actual  cost  of  living  during  the  time,  having 
drawn  heavily  upon  her  resources.  On  hesitating  to 
comply  with  his  wishes,  he  became  very  angry,  and 
used  such  threatening  and  abusive  language,  that  under 
the  excitement  of  indignation  and  alarm,  Mrs.  Bullfinch 
took  from  a  drawer  the  purse  containing  all  the  money 
she  possessed,  and  tossing  it  to  her  husband,  said — 

"  There !  Take  the  whole  of  what  remains.  But 
don't  expect  me  to  keep  the  table  any  longer.  If  you 
come  home  at  any  time,  and  find  no  dinner  prepared, 
don't  ask  me  for  a  reason." 

"  I  said,"  growled  the  old  man,  as  he  thrust  the  purse 
into  his  pocket,  "  that  five  hundred  dollars  was  too 
small  a  sum.  The  mortgage  should  have  been  for  a 
thousand." 

Scarcely  had  the  money  passed  from  the  hands  of 
Mrs.  Bullfinch,  ere  she  saw  and  repented  of  the  hasty 
act,  which  left  her  without  so  much  as  a  single  dollar. 
In  a  little  while  after,  her  husband  left  the  house 
During  the  afternoon,  he  sent  home  a  barrel  of  flour, 
half  a  dozen  hams,  a  basket  of  wine,  a  gallon  of  brandy, 
and  sundry  articles  of  groceries.  On  the  next  morning 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  301 

he  went  to  market,  and  made  some  liberal  purchases  in 
the  provision  line.     But,  beyond  this,  no  further  account 
was  made  of  the  hundred  dollars.     How  he  was  using 
the  remainder,  his   daily   condition  too  plainly  mad 
manifest. 

Again  Mrs.  Bullfinch  aroused  herself  from  the  state 
of  mental  inactivity  into  which  she  had  fallen.     Not 

since  the  day  of  her  visit  to  Mr.  C 's  store,  had  she 

been  abroad.  Whether  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Wellford 
had  taken  place  or  not,  she  had  never  heard.  It  was 
the  same  to  her,  however,  for  she  regarded  the  event  as 
past.  Once  more  she  took  her  jewel-box,  and  the  gold 
watch  that  had  been  her  father's,  and  again  visited  the 

store  of  Mr.  C .     She  found  the  jeweler  disengaged. 

He  recognized  her,  and  spoke  with  such  real  kindliest 
of  manner,  that  she  was  encouraged  to  utter  freely  hei 
request,  which  was,  that  he  would  purchase  of  her  the 
jewel-box  at  as  fair  a  price  as  he  could  afford  to  pay  ; 
and,  also,  lend  her  the  sum  of  twenty-five  dollars  on 
the  gold  watch,  he  having  the  privilege  of  selling  it  in 
order  to  repay  himself,  if  she  did  not  return  the  money 

in  six  months.     To  this  Mr.  C ,  whose  feelings  were 

touched  by  the  great  change  he  saw  in  the  young  and 
still  beautiful  face  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  consented  without 
an  instant's  hesitation.  For  the  jewel-box,  he  paid  her 
twenty-five  dollars. 


302  THE    OLD    MAN  8    BRIDE. 

As,  with  a  lighter  heart,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  turned  to 
leave  the  store,  she  found  herself  face  to  face  with  Henry 
Wellford,  and  his  happy  young  bride,  who  were  just 
entering  the  jeweler's.  For  a  moment  the  eyes  of  Well- 
ord  and  Helen  rested  on  each  other.  Heart-secrets, 
thav,  volumes  could  not  have  expressed,  were  read  by 
boih  in  that  instant  of  time.  Their  paths  crossed  not 
again  for  many  years  ! 

Other  purposes  were  to  have  been  accomplished  by 
Mrs.  Bullfinch  on  this  the  first  occasion  of  her  ventur- 
ing abroad  for  many  weeks ;  but,  the  sudden  meeting 
with  Wellford,  and  visible  confirmation  of  his  marriage, 
so  deeply  disturbed  her,  that  she  hurried  home,  and 
once  more,  in  solitude,  let  the  rising  floods  of  emotion 
sweep  over  her  spirit.  When,  in  a  measure,  their  force 
was  spent,  she  gathered  anew  her  mental  energies,  and 
proceeded  to  put  in  execution  a  purpose  for  some  time 
entertained,  which  was  to  endeavor  to  procure  music 
scholars  ;  or,  if  need  be,  give  lessons  in  French  and 
Spanish.  She  had  some  pride  left,  but  not  a  great  deal ; 
the  little  that  remained,  kept  her  from  going  among 
any  of  those  with  whom,  during  the  prosperous  days 
of  her  husband,  she  was  brought  in  social  contact.  To 
whom,  then,  should  she  make  known  her  purposes ! 
From  whom  seek  the  aid  and  encouragement  she 
needed  ?  Towards  one  lady  her  thoughts  turned,  when 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  303 

first  this  expedient  was  thought  of,  and  towards  her 
they  still  turned. 

That  lady  was  Mrs.  Barker.  Helen  had  never  met 
her  since  her  unhappy  union  with  Mr.  Bullfinch  ;  and 
now  the  thought  of  calling  upon  her  produced  a  pain- 
ful shrinking.  To  expose,  personally,  and  to  Mrs.  Bar- 
ker in  particular,  the  utter  failure  of  ah1  her  marriage 
hopes — based  upon  the  sand  as  they  were — was  a  trial 
from  which  all  her  womanly  instincts  drew  back.  Yet, 
as  she  revolved  the  subject,  and  considered  all  other 
resources  and  expedients,  the  trial  of  calling  on  Mrs. 
Barker,  and  soliciting  her  interest,  seemed  the  least  of 
all  that  were  presented.  And  so,  a  few  days  after  her 
visit  to  the  jeweler's,  she  went  to  see  that  lady. 

Mrs.  Bullfinch  ? "  said  Mrs.  Barker,  speaking  to  her- 
self, as  the  servant  retired,  after  announcing  a  visitor. 
"  Mrs.  Bullfinch  ?  Can  it  be  Helen  Lee  I " 

She  arose  instantly  and  went  down  to  the  parlors. 
The  countenance  of  the  pale,  slightly-formed  lady  who 
came  forward  to  meet  her,  as  she  entered,  was  that  of 
a  stranger  in  which  is  seen  something  familiar.  A 
hand  was  hesitatingly  extended,  which  was  taken  by 
Mrs.  Barker. 

"  You  do  not  rememoer  me  ? "  said  the  lady. 

"Why,  Helen!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Barker.  "Is  it 
possible  ?  Your  voice  is  unchanged,  but  I  would  havt 


304  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

passed  you  in  the  street  a  dozen  times  without  recogni- 
tion." 

"  I  am  a  good  deal  changed,  I  believe,"  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch replied,  striving  to  speak  calmly,  yet  betraying  the 
disturbed  state  of  her  feelings. 

"  Your  father  is " 

"  In  a  better  land,"  was  answered,  in  a  failing 
voice. 

A  few  moments  of  silence  on  both  sides  gave  Mrs. 
Bullfinch  time  to  regain  her  self-control.  As  soon  as 
she  had  done  so,  she  said 

"  I  have  always  believed,  Mrs.  Barker,  that  you  felt 
-an  interest  in  my  welfare." 

"  You  have  believed  right,  Helen,"  replied  Mrs.  Bar- 
ker, with  much  kindness  of  manner — "  and  if  there  is 
anything  in  which  I  can  now  serve  you,  speak  of  it 
freely." 

"  You  are,  no  doubt,  aware  that  Mr.  Bullfinch  has 
failed  in  business." 

"  I  heard  as  much  ;  but  never  learned  any  particu- 
krs." 

"  The  loss  of  property  was  total ;  and  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  small  house,  which  the  creditors  generously 
presented  to  me,  everything  passed  from  our  posses- 
sion." 

"  How  unfortunate  !"  was  the  lady's  simple  remark. 


THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE.  305 

"  The  misfortune,"  continued  Helen,  "  took  from  Mr. 
Bullfinch  all  mental  energy.  Since  then,  he  has  not 
attempted  to  do  business.  Already  we  have  mortgaged 
our  house,  and  spent  the  money  obtained  therefor. 
Another  mortgage,  or  a  sale  of  the  house,  will  produce 
temporary  aid ;  but,  unless  I  make  some  effort  to  ob- 
tain a  regular  income,  the  end  can  easily  be  seen — • 
hopeless  destitution." 

"  My  poor  child !"  said  Mrs.  Barker,  in  a  voice  so  full 
of  real  sympathy,  that  Helen's  constrained  feelings  gave 
way,  and  bursting  into  tears,  she  sobbed  and  wept  for 
several  minutes. 

How  vividly,  in  that  brief  time,  came  the  past  before 
the  eyes  of  Mrs.  Barker  !  The  progress  of  events  had 
left  her  in  no  ignorance  of  Helen's  purpose  on  a  former 
visit,  made  a  few  years  before.  How  distinctly  she  saw 
her  now,  as  she  turned  from  her  in  that  very  room, 
with  such  a  hopeless  air,  and  almost  fled  from  the 
house.  A  kind  reception  of  the  poor  girl  then,  and  a 
patient  hearkening  to  her  petition — what  years  of  al- 
most unimaginable  suffering  would  it  not  have  saved  1 

"  And  you  wish  me  to  aid  you  in  this  purpose  ?"  said 
Mrs.  Barker,  after  Helen  had  grown  calm. 

"  That  is  the  object  of  my  present  visit,  Mrs.  Barker." 

"  Speak  to  me  freely  then,  and  with  the  assuranct 
that  all  in  my  power  to  do  shall  be  done." 


306  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

"  Simply,  then,  I  wish  to  resume  my  former  voca 
tion.  You  know  my  abilities  as  a  teacher.  May  I 
hope,  through  your  aid,  to  obtain  a  few  scholars  ?" 

"  You  may,  Helen.  My  own  daughters,  as  you  may 
suppose,  no  longer  take  lessons  either  in  music  or 
French.  But,  in  my  large  circle  of  friends,  are  many, 
I  do  not  doubt,  who  would  be  glad  to  avail  of  your 
services.  I  will  call  on  two  or  three,  during  to-day ; 
and  to-morrow  see  others.  On  day  after  to-morrow,  I 
hope  to  be  able  to  make  a  good  report.  Will  you 
call «» 

"  0  yes.  How  kind  you  are  !  I  will  never  forget 
you,  Mi's.  Barker.  In  our  extremity  how  rarely  do  we 
meet  with  a  friend !" 

Mi's.  Bullfinch  did  not  know  how  sharply  these  words 
smote  upon  the  ears  of  her  auditor.  Never  forget  her  ! 
How  could  the  memory  of  the  one  who,  with  scarcely 
an  effort,  might  have  saved  her  from  a  life  of  misery, 
ever  retire  a  moment  from  conscious  thought  ? 

In  a  week  from  that  time,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  resumed 
her  old  vocation  of  teacher,  under  the  efficient  patron- 
age of  Mrs.  Barker.  It  was  not  long  before  she  had 
scholars  enough  to  occupy  all  the  hours  she  could  give 
to  instruction.  How  earnestly  and  patiently  she  ap- 
plied herself ;  and  how  insensibly  but  surely  did  she 
win  her  way  into  the  regard  of  all  with  whom  she  be- 


THE    OLD   MAN'S   BRIDE.  307 

came  associated.  Her  unhappy  marriage  relation,  while 
it  repelled  those  who  did  not  know  her  personally,  as 
evidencing  something  wrong  in  her  character,  excited 
in  those  who  did  know  her,  a  kindly  sympathy. 

Ah  !  With  what  different  feelings  from  those  of  old 
experienced  did  she  now  prosecute  her  daily  tasks  1 
Filial  love  and  duty  then  inspired  her  efforts,  and  sweet 
was  her  daily  reward.  Now,  she  toiled  to  support  an 
old,  ill-natured,  besotted  husband,  the  very  sight  of 
whom  was  an  offence  to  her.  Urged  by  a  stern  sense 
of  duty,  she  went  forth,  each  morning,  and  resumed  her 
uncheered  tasks,  and  nightly  returned  to  shiver  beside 
the  domestic  altar,  on  which  an  unhallowed  sacrifice 
had  long  since  been  burned  to  ashes. 

And  thus  the  days,  weeks,  months  and  years  moved 
on.  Tears!  Who  would  not  shrink  from  turning 
the  leaves  in  Helen's  book  of  memory  during  this  long 
time,  and  reading  the  record?  Our  hand,  at  least 
shall  not  essay  the  painful  task. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

NEARLY  fifteen  years  have  passed.  Few  beyond 
ordinary  changes  have  taken  place  during  this  period. 
Mr.  Bullfinch  still  cumbers  the  ground.  More  and 
more  daily  does  his  life  become  that  of  a  beast,  which 
merely  seeks  sensual  gratification.  To  eat  and  drink 
to  excess  is  his  only  enjoyment.  Mrs.  Bullfinch  goes 
forth  daily,  in  patience,  and  from  a  deeply  grounded 
sense  of  duty,  earning  the  food  and  raiment  that  both 
consume.  So  close  was  the  relation  between  income 
and  expenses  for  some  years,  that  she  was  not  able  to 
redeem  the  gold  watch  which  had  belonged  to  hei 
father.  It  had  been  pledged  for  a  certain  time.  When 
that  time  passed,  she  considered  the  dear  relic  forfeited ; 
and,  with  many  secret  tears,  resigned  it,  is  among  her 
heart's  lost  treasures. 

One  day  about  this  time,  Mrs.  Barker,  who  had  re- 
named the  fast  friend  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  said  to  her — 


THK   OLD   MAN'S   BKIDB.  308 

"  Mrs.  Wellford  was  asking  me  about  you  to-day 
She  has  two  dear  little  girls,  whose  musical  education  it 
is  now  time  to  commence.  She  has  heard  you  spoken 
of  so  frequently,  and  has  formed  so  high  an  opinion  of 
your  ability  and  character,  that  she  is  particularly  de- 
sirous to  have  them  under  your  care.  Of  course,  I  had 
nothing  to  say  but  what  was  in  your  favor.  The  only 
question  is,  as  to  your  engaging  any  more  scholars  at 
present.  You  are  doing  too  much,  for  health,  now." 

No  change  was  visible  in  the  countenance  or  manner 
of  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  when  this  communication  was  made. 
She  merely  bent  her  eyes  to  the  floor,  in  thought,  for 
some  moments.  Then  looking  up,  she  replied — 

"  I  hardly  know  what  ix>  say,  Mrs.  Barker.  Nearly 
all  my  available  time  is  now  occupied,  and  it  scarcely 
seems  right  to  crowd  in  any  more  engagements." 

"  Very  true.  But  think  it  over  for  a  day  or  two. 
If  you  can  undertake  to  give  lessons  to  Mi's.  WellforJ's 
children,  I  think  you  will  find  the  task  an  easy  one,  for, 
from  what  I  have  seen  of  them,  they  appear  to  be 
bright  and  teachable.  As  I  said,  their  mother  is  par- 
ticularly desirous  to  have  you  instruct  them.  She 
remarked  to  me  while  speaking  of  the  matter,  that  if 
she  could  get  them  in  your  care,  she  should  feel  en- 
tirely satisfied." 

"  I  will  see  what  can  be  done,  and  let  you  know  in  a 


3iO  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

few  days,"  replied  Mrs.  Bullfinch.  Her  manner  was 
more  abstracted  than  at  first :  yet  no  signs  of  emotion 
were  visible  ;  none,  in  fact,  was  felt.  Years  since,  her 
heart  had  acquired  an  even  pulsation  not  to  be  easily 
disturbed  by  memories  of  the  past. 

The  first  inclinings  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch  were  against  ac- 
cepting the  office  of  teacher  to  Mr.  Wellford's  children. 
But,  as  she  dwelt  on  the  subject,  her  mind  favored  the 
proposition ;  and,  in  the  end,  she  engaged  to  give  them 
musical  instruction.  In  arranging  the  hours,  unackuow- 
ledging  to  herself  the  reason,  yet  acting  from  an  in- 
stinct of  delicacy,  she  fixed  upon  those  during  which 
the  father  of  the  children  would  be  occupied  in  busir 
ness,  and,  therefore,  away  from  home. 

"  Don't  you  think  I'm  fortunate  ?"  said  Mrs.  Well- 
ford  to  her  husband,  after  she  had  made  an  arrange- 
ment with  Mrs.  Bullfinch. 

"  In  what  respect  ?"  he  inquired. 

"  In  regard  to  Maggy  and  Ella.     Mrs.  Bullfinch  was 
here  this  morning,  and  has  agreed  to  undertake  thei 
musical  education." 

"  She  has !" 

Mr.  Wellford  spoke  with  a  degree  of  surprise  that 
caused  his  wife  to  say — 

"  Why,  what  has  possessed  you  to  believe  that  she 
wouldn't  teach  our  children  ?" 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDK.  311 

"  I  understood  that  she  already  had  more  scholars 
than  she  was  able  to  attend  to,"  repfied  Mr.  Wellfoi~, 
smiling.  "  Even  you  were  in  doubt  as  to  whether  her 
services  could  be  procured." 

"True  enough.  And  yet  there  seemed  to  be,  ii 
your  mind,  some  reason  beyond  this.  However,  wt 
won't  quarrel  about  that,"  Mrs.  Wellford  added,  in  a 
pleased  tone  of  voice.  "She  has  promised  to  come, 
and,  from  all  I  have  heard  of  her,  I  think,  as  I  said  at 
first,  we're  fortunate.  There's  something  very  interest- 
ing about  her  ;  and  I  don't  wonder  that  she  attaches 
almost  every  one.  I  was  drawn  towards  her  at  first 
sight.  So  gentle,  so  retiring,  yet  so  self-possessed  and 
lady-like.  I  wonder  what  could  have  induced  her  to 
marry  that  old  man  3" 

"  His  money,  it  is  said,"  remarked  Mr.  Wellford. 

"  It  doesn't  seem  possible  that  she  could  have  been 
so  mercenary.  If  that  were  her  reason,  how  sadly  sho 
has  been  disappointed !" 

"  Sadly  enough,  without  doubt,"  replied  Mr.  Well- 
ford,  speaking  partly  to  himself. 

"  I  am  sure  she  never  could  have  loved  him." 

"  Loved  him  1  No.  She  must  have  loathed  him  in 
her  heart !" 

"  I  can  scarcely  believe  that  of  her,"  said  Mrs.  Well- 


312  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

ford.  "  If  she  had  loathed  him,  she  never  would  have 
married  him." 

"  I  don't  know.  The  pressure  upon  her  may  have 
been  very  great.  Her  father  was  poor  and  in  ill-health. 
From  her  slender  income  as  a  teacher,  came  the  entire 
support  of  the  family.  Filial  love  alone,  I  am  sure, 
prompted  the  act.  For  the  sake  of  her  parents,  she 
sacrificed  herself." 

"  That  was  an  error,"  remarked  Mrs.  Wellford. 

"  An  error !"  said  her  husband,  warmly.  "  Nay,  it 
•was  more  than  an  error — it  was  a  crime." 

"  You  speak  strongly." 

"  Not  too  strongly,  as  I  view  these  matters.  To  wed 
thus — where  there  was  neither  sympathy  nor  respect 
on  her  part,  to  say  nothing  of  love,  was  an  act  so  di- 
rectly in  violation  of  every  law  of  nature,  that  I  can  de- 
signate it  by  no  word  of  softer  import  than  crime." 

"  If  you  were  to  look  into  her  face,"  said  Mrs.  Well- 
ford,  smiling,  "  you  would  hardly  find  it  in  your  heart 
to  call  her  a  criminal." 

"Perhaps  not.  Doubtless,  she  has  long  since  re- 
pented in  dust  and  ashes.  Poor  thing  !  If  all  that  ia 
said  of  her  husband's  habits  and  conduct  be  true,  she 
has  led  a  sad  life  of  it.  But,  when  is  she  to  commence 
giving  Maggy  and  Ella  lessons  ?" 

"  She  will  begin  day  after  to-morrow. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  318 

«  At  what  hour  ?" 

"  Twelve  o'clock." 

"  Does  that  suit  you  best  ?" 

"  It  will  suit  Mrs.  Bullfinch  best." 

"  Your  expectations  are  high,"  said  Mr.  Wellford. 
"  I  hope  all  will  come  out  to  your  satisfaction." 

I  have  no  fears  on  that  score.  Wherever,  among 
my  acquaintances,  she  has  given  lessons,  every  one  is 
pleased.  That  I  shall  be  so  likewise,  I  do  not,  in  the 
least,  doubt," 

"  Nor  do  I,"  remarked  her  husband.  "  She  is  spoken 
of  in  the  highest  teims  by  persons  in  whose  judgment 
we  ought  to  have  every  confidence.  With  you,  I  think 
we  are  fortunate  in  securing  her  services  for  our  chil- 
dren." 

A  few  days  afterwards,  Mr.  Wellford  said  to  hia 
wife — 

"What  about  Mrs.  Bullfinch?  Did  she  come  ac- 
cording to  engagement  ?" 

"No." 

"  Did  not  come  3" 

"  I've  seen  nothing  of  her  since  she  was  here  to  make 
arrangements  about  the  lessons." 

"  A  little  singular,  is  it  not  ?" 

«  I  think  so. 

"  She  may  be  sick." 
14 


314  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

Mrs  Wellford  did  not  reply,  and  her  husband,  after 
musing  for  some  time,  opened  the  morning  paper, 
which  a  servant  had  just  handed  in,  and  commenced 
running  his  eyes  over  the  columns.  Suddenly,  ha 
made  an  ejaculation  of  surprise.  Then,  looking  up,  he 
said — 

"  I  can  explain  this  absence  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch." 

"  In  what  way  ?"  asked  his  wife. 

"  Her  husband  is  dead." 

"Dead!" 

"  Yes,  here  it  is.  '  Died,  suddenly,  Adam  Bullfinch 
late  merchant  of  Philadelphia.' " 

"  Not  many  tears  will  fall  over  his  grave,"  said  Mrs. 
Wellford.  "  Even  if  his  wife  stood,  with  dry  eyes,  be- 
side it,  no  one  would  feel  surprised." 

Mr.  Wellford  made  no  answer.  A  short  time  his 
mind  seemed  lost  in  reverie.  Then  he  resumed  the 
reading  of  his  newspaper. 


CHAPTER 

AND  so  the  bond  was  severed  at  last — the  chain, 
whose  heavy  links  had  galled  and  fretted  for  over  twenty 
years,  broken.  Twenty  years — and  every  cycle  an  age 
of  misery  !  Twenty  years !  Begun  in  paralyzing  fear, 
continued  in  disgust,  and  ending  in  horror.  What  a 
history !  Yes,  ending  in  horror — for  Adam  Bullfinch 
died  the  most  terrible  of  all  deaths.  We  will  not  take 
you,  reader,  to  his  bedside,  as  he  wrestled  in  the 
last  agony,  nor  pain  your  ears  with  his  cries  of  terror  as 
he  vainly  strove  to  escape  the  haunting  demons  created 
in  that  wild  delirium — the  drunkard's  madness.  No — 
no.  Over  that  we  must  throw  a  veil.  Enough,  that,  to 
the  very  dregs,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  drank  the  bitter  cup  her 
own  hands  had  placed  to  her  lips.  Faithful  even  to 
the  end  did  she  remain,  as  few  could  have  remained 
faithful.  It  would  be  idle  to  say  that  the  death  of  her 
husband  caused  an  emotion  of  grief.  She  wept  not 


316  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

when  the  earth  went  rattling  down  upon  his  coffin-lid — • 
she  sighed  not  as  she  turned  from  his  half-filled  grave. 
But,  oh !  how  sad — how  unutterably  sad  was  her  heart  I 
Compared  with  her  frozen,  desolate  state  of  feeling, 
grief  for  the  loss  of  an  intensely  loved  object  were  a 
luxury  of  the  mind  ! 

Duty  had  sustained  her.  In  patient  obedience  to 
what  she  saw  to  be  right,  she  had  found  strength  to 
bear  the  almost  crushing  weight  that  was  laid  upon  her. 
And  now  that  her  husband  was  dead — now  that  there 
existed  no  longer  a  necessity  for  unremitting  effort  on 
her  part,  the  first  impulse  was  to  fold  her  arms,  and 
sink  into  inactivity.  This,  however,  was  but  the  weak- 
ness of  an  hour.  She  had  not  been  so  long  in  the 
school  of  obedience,  without  learning  some  lessons  of 
duty  that  went  beyond  the  narrow  circle  of  home. 
Valued  as  a  wise  and  judicious  teacher,  and  aware  of 
the  important  use  she  was  performing,  she  was  quick  to 
see  that,  neither  in  justice  to  herself  nor  society,  could 
she  now  retire  from  her  position.  And  so,  after  the 
few  days'  seclusion  that  a  decent  respect  for  the  mem- 
ory of  her  husband  prompted  her  to  observe,  she  went 
forth  again,  and  resumed  her  duties.  But  little  change 
beyond  another  shadow  on  her  quiet,  sober  face,  was 
visible.  No  one  made  allusion  to  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band, and  to  none  she  spoke  of  it.  Not  even  in  the 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  317 

case  of  Mrs.  Wellford,  was  a  reason  asked  or  given  as 
to  why  the  first  engagement  was  not  kept. 

Until  now,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  had  not  seen  the  two  little 
girls  of  Mr.  Wellford,  the  oldest  in  her  thirteenth  year, 
who  were  to  come  under  her  immediate  instruction. 
When  presented  to  her,  she  was  struck  with  the  pecu- 
liar sweetness  and  innocence  of  their  faces.  They  had 
the  large,  dark  eyes,  broad  forehead  and  slightly  reced- 
ing under  lip  and  chin  of  their  father,  with  the  fair 
complexion  of  the  mother.  As  she  took  their  hands, 
and  gazed  into  their  faces,  she  felt  her  heart  leap 
towards  them,  and  a  gentle  glow  of  love  pass  with  its 
delightful  warmth  throughout  her  entire  being. 

"  They  are  good  children,  Mrs.  Bullfinch,"  said  the 
mother,  speaking  aside,  and  in  a  voice  low  enough  not 
to  reach  their  ears.  Then  she  added,  aloud — u  I'm  sure 
they  will  be  obedient  and  attentive.  And  I  shall  expect 
them  to  learn  very  fast  You  will  give  them  a  lesson 
this  morning  ? " 

"  I  have  come  for  that  purpose,"  replied  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch. 

"  As  your  time  is  valuable,  I  will  leave  you  to  begin 
at  once,"  said  Mrs.  Wellford,  rising.  "  Now,  try  your 
best,  dears,"  she  added,  in  a  voice  blending  affection  and 
pride.  A  little  while  the  mother  stood  looking  at  her 
children,  and  then  left  the  room.  Upon  her  retreating 


318  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

form  the  eyes  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch  lingered,  with  a  look 
of  interest ;  and  even  after  she  had  withdrawn,  her 
gaze  remained  fixed,  for  some  moments,  upon  the  door 
through  which  she  had  passed.  A  deeper  inspiration 
ban  usual  marked  the  return  of  thoughts  to  a  more 
lirect  perception  of  the  present  and  its  duties. 

Never,  perhaps,  had  she  felt  a  deeper  interest  in  pu- 
pils committed  to  her  care  ;  never,  perhaps,  imparted 
instruction  with  a  purer  sense  of  pleasure.  And  the 
children  seemed  conscious  of  something  that  made  her 
more  to  them  than  a  stranger.  Their  manner  of  fixing 
their  large,  soft,  loving  eyes,  with  an  intent,  inquiring 
gaze  upon  her  face,  embarrassed  her  at  times,  while  it 
stirred  her  heart  more  deeply. 

Once  or  twice,  during  the  hour  devoted  to  the  first  lea- 
sons,  Mrs.  Wellford  came  in  to  observe  their  progress. 
She,  too,  as  well  as  the  children,  felt  drawn  towards 
Mrs.  Bullfinch  by  an  internal  and  irresistible  attraction, 

"  How  do  you  like  your  new  teacher  ? "  asked  Mr, 
"Wellford,  when,  on  coming  home,  at  dinner-time,  his 
children  crowded  around  him. 

"  Oh,  she's  elegant ! "  exclaimed  little  Ella,  gaily.  "  I 
do  like  her  so." 

"  Elegant  ?  What  do  you  mean  by  that  sis ! "  said 
her  father. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  819 

"  She's  good  and  nice  ;  and  I  like  her,"  repKed  the 
child,  warmly. 

"  And  what  do  you  say,  Maggy  ? " 

"  I  like  her  very  much,"  replied  the  elder  of  the  two 
children.  "  She  is  so  kind  and  patient.  I'm  sure  we 
shall  learn  very  fast." 

"  I'm  sure  I  hope  you  will,"  said  Mr.  Wellford. 

"There's  something  very  interesting  aWt  her," 
remarked  Mrs.  Wellford.  "  I  never  met  a  stranger  who, 
at  first,  attracted  me  so  strongly.  I  think  her  a  very 
superior  woman." 

Mr.  Wellford  did  not  reply,  but  he  gazed  into  his 
wife's  face  with  a  look  of  tenderness,  and  laying  his  open 
hand  on  her  forehead,  smoothed  with  a  caressing  mo- 
tion, the  glossy  hair  that  covered  her  snowy  temples. 

In  a  little  while,  the  topic  of  conversation  was 
changed. 

And,  now,  in  the  common  course  of  events,  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch came  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Wellford  as  often  as 
twice  in  each  week ;  and,  at  each  renewed  visit,  the 
children  grew  more  and  more  into  her  affection,  while 
her  coming  was  ever  hailed  by  them  with  pleasure. 
And  so  it  went  on  for  months — even  years ;  yet  not 
once,  during  the  time,  had  the  father  of  Maggy  and 
Ella  met  their  teacher,  of  whom  they  always  had  so 
much  to  say.  Frequently  had  Mrs.  Wellford  sought  to 


320  THE  OI/D  MAN'S  BRTDK. 

draw  her  within  the  social  sphere  of  the  family :  but  she 
would  only  come  professionally,  and  lingered  scarcely  a 
moment  after  her  duties  were  done.  In  her  manner, 
Mrs.  Wellford  often  thought  there  was  something 
strange — something  that  indicated  a  motive  for  not 
wishing  to  remain  an  instant  longer  than  was  necessary 
to  give  her  lessons.  Several  times  she  had  observed 
her  start,  and  listen,  as  if  off  her  guard,  when  the  street- 
door  opened.  And  once,  in  particular,  she  remarked 
that  a  sudden  flush  came  into  her  face,  as  the  voice  of 
Mr.  Wellford  was  heard  in  the  passage.  But,  happily, 
she  was  in  total  ignorance  of  the  f  »ct  that  her  husband 
and  Mrs.  Bullfinch  had  ever  met,  except  casually,  and 
as  strangers. 


CHAPTEE  XXXI. 

M  FORTY-FIVE  years  old.  Oh,  life !  life  !  Eow 
smoothly,  for  some,  the  stream  glides — how  roughly 
for  others  1" 

It  was  early  in  an  autumnal  day  ;  a  thin,  golden  haze 
was  in  the  atmosphere  ;  no  breeze  stirred  in  the  mapld 
branches  that  spread  themselves  before  the  window, 
near  which  Mrs.  Bullfinch  wa<»  sitting,  yet  leaf  after 
leaf,  yellow  from  the  first  touch  of  frost,  was  dropping 
away,  and  fluttering  to  the  ground. 

" Forty-five  years  old,  to-day,"  she  repeated.  "At 
sixty,  my  heart  should  not  have  been  so  withered  and 
sapless.  Oh  !  what  a  desecration  of  a  whole  life." 

She  struck  her  hand  hard  upon  her  bosom,  adding-*- 

"  Such  a  trampling  down,  and  tearing  up  by  the  roots 
of  luxuriant  affection  !  Long  ere  this,  the  vine  would 
have  spread  itself  over  the  very  topmost  branches  of 
its  sustaining  tree ! 


322  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

u  But,  peace,  peace !"  she  murmured,  her  whole 
manner  growing  calmer  under  a  strong  effort  of  the 
still  potent  will.  "  Poor  heart !  Have  done  with  thy 
bootless  throbbings." 

And,  saying  this,  she  arose,  and  commenced  making 
preparations  to  go  out,  and  enter  upon  her  daily  round 
of  duties  as  a  teacher.  After  giving  lessons  at  two 
places,  she  went  to  Mr.  Wellford's.  She  had  three 
scholars  there  now.  A  well-known  physician's  carriage 
stood  at  the  door.  On  entering,  she  noticed  that  the 
servant  who  admitted  her  looked  unusually  sober. 

"  Is  any  one  sick  ?"  inquired  Mrs.  Bullfinch. 

"Oh,  yes  ma'am,"  was  replied.  "Mrs.  Wellford  is 
very  ill." 

"  Not  dangerously,  I  hope." 

"  I'm  afraid  so,  ma'am,"  answered  the  servant. 
"The  doctor  has  been  here  for  two  hours;  and  Mrs. 
Wellford  looks  dreadfully." 

"What  ails  her  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Bullfinch. 

"  She's  been  poorly,  and  drooping  about,  you  know, 
for  some  time,  Mrs.  Bullfinch.  Poor  thing !  She's  lost 
flesh  amazingly  of  late,  as  you've  no  doubt  seen.  Well, 
yesterday  was  Ella's  birth-day,  and  the  children  had  a 
little  party  last  night.  They  were  all  very  happy  ;  and 
I  never  saw  Mrs.  Wellford  enjoy  herself  more  in  my 
life.  The  party  broke  up  about  ten  o'clock,  and  soon 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  323 

after  the  company  went  away,  all  the  children  were  in 
bed.  It  was  near  eleven  o'clock  when  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wellford  left  the  parlors.  In  a  little  while  after  they 
were  in  their  room,  I  heard  a  noise  up  stairs,  as  if  a 
chair  had  been  knocked  over,  and  then  Mr.  Wellford 
called  for  the  waiter  in  such  a  quick,  loud  voice,  that  we 
were  all  frightened,  and  ran  to  see  what  was  the  matter. 
On  going  into  their  chamber,  I  saw  Mrs.  Wellford  lying 
on  the  bed,  her  face  as  white  as  a  sheet,  and  the  blood 
running  out  of  her  mouth.  I  was  so  frightened  that  I 
screamed  and  ran  down  stairs.  'Run  for  the  doctor!' 
I  heard  Mr.  Wellford  say.  And,  in  a  minute,  tho 
waiter  came  flying  down  stairs,  and  out  at  the  front 
door  as  fast  as  he  could  run." 

"  She  had  broken  s  blood  vessel !"  said  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch. 

"  Yes,  ma'am.  That  is  what  ailed  her.  The  doctor 
staid  with  her  all  night'  and  came  again  early  this 
morning.  They  say  he  hasn't  much  hope  of  her." 

"  No  one  is  allowed  to  see  her,  of  course  !" 

"  O,  no,  ma'am.  She's  too  sick  for  that.  We  all  go 
about  on  tip -toe,  as  it  were;  and  nurse  keeps  the  child- 
ren as  still  as  little  mice." 

"I'm  verry  sorry,"  said  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  who  was  start- 
led and  deeply  pained  by  this  alarming  intelligence. 
The  longer  and  more  intimately  she  had  known  Mrs. 


324  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE. 

Wellford,  the  higher  had  been  her  estimation  of  her 
character.  Almost  as  a  sister  she  loved  her ;  though 
never  with  the  freedom  of  a  sister  had  she  felt  privi- 
leged to  give  voice  to  her  affections. 

"  I  am  very  sorry,"  she  repeated. 

Then  adding — "  Of  course  no  lessons  can  be  given 
here  to-day  ;  so  I  will  return  home.  But,  if  I  could  be 
of  any  use  ! " 

This  last  sentence  was  spoken  in  an  earnest  voice,  so 
earnest,  that,  unconsciously,  the  tones  were  slightly  ele- 
vated, and  reached  the  ears  of  Mr.  Wellford,  who  at 
the  moment  was  passing  one  of  the  landings  on  the 
stairway,  but  a  little  distance  from  the  place  where  she 
stood,  in  the  hall.  He  came  down  immediately,  calling 
her  name  as  he  did  so.  His  countenance  was  pale  and 
haggard,  his  eyes  humid,  and  everything  about  him 
showed  anxiety  and  alarm. 

"  Of  use,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  ? "  he  said—"  0  yes ;  you 
can  be  of  great  use.  Will  you  not  come  up  and  stay 
with  my  poor  wife,  if  it  is  only  for  a  little  while  ?  She 
has  whispered  your  name  once  or  twice." 

"  Will  not  my  presence  disturb  her  ? "  asked  Mrs. 
Bullfinch. 

"  O  no ;  it  will  prevent  disturbance  from  otners.  Oh, 
if  you  could  only  remain  with  her,  how  thankful  I 
would  be ! " 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  325 

There  was  110  resisting  this  appeal  of  the  distressed 
husband.  Mrs.  Bullfinch  removed  her  shawl  and  bon- 
net, and  with  light  steps  passed  up  to  the  sick  chamber. 
As  she  entered  the  door,  the  white  face  of  Mrs.  Well- 
ford,  white  almost  as  the  snowy  pillow  on  which  she 
lay,  startled  her  with  its  deathliness,  even  prepared,  as 
she  was,  for  the  change.  A  faint  smile  was  instantly 
visible,  and  the  lips  of  the  invalid  moved;  but  Mrs. 
Bullfinch  placed  a  finger  on  her  own  lips  to  enjoin 
silence.  Coming  softly  to  the  bedside,  she  stooped 
down,  and  kissed  her.  The  tender  impulse  that 
prompted  this  act,  was  too  sudden  and  too  strong  to  be 
resisted.  It  was  the  'token  of  a  deeper  love  than  she 
had  ever  been  free  to  express.  The  hand  that  lay  in 
hers — taken  as  she  bent  to  her  lips — gave  back  a  quick 
pressure  ;  and  in  a  faint  whisper,  Mrs.  Wellford  said — 

"  Don't  leave  me." 

"I  will  not  leave  you,"  was  the  low  but  earnest 
reply,  which  was  answered  by  a  grateful  look.  And  Mr. 
Wellford  said — 

"  We  shall  ever  remember  your  kindness,  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch." 

In  a  little  while  the  appearance  of  the  room,  the  bed, 
and  the  person  of  the  invalid  underwent  a  change ; 
and  this,  without  apparent  effort  or  obtrusiveness  on  tlie 
part  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch.  As  she  moved  about,  in  he* 


326  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

quiet  way,  the  eyes  of  the  physician  were  on  her.  A 
Blight  forward  motion  of  his  head,  showed  that  he  waa 
satisfied  with  the  observation. 

"  Mr.  Wellford,"  said  he,  on  leaving  the  room,  "  a 
good  nurse  is  more  to  the  doctor,  often,  than  his  medi- 
cine. It  will  be  more  in  this  case.  As  you  hope  for 
the  recovery  of  your  wife,  retain  this  lady  with  her ;  at 
least  for  a  few  days." 

"  She  will  not  leave  her,  I  am  sure,"  replied  Mr. 
Wellford.  "  But,  at  your  next  visit,  will  you  not,  your- 
self, say  how  much  depends  on  her  remaining  with  my 
wife?" 

"  I  shall  not  fail  in  that,"  said  the  doctor,  as,  after 
promising  to  return  in  a  couple  of  hours,  he  went  away. 

But,  it  was  neither  in  the  power  of  medicine  nor 
good  nursing  to  save  the  failing  wife  and  mother.  The 
vital  forces,  already  running  low,  had  been  too  much 
exhausted  by  this  effusion  from  the  lungs.  Instead  of 
rallying,  it  was  soon  too  evident,  that  the  time  of  her  de- 
parture was  near  at  hand — that  a  few  days,  at  most,  must 
close  her  earthly  pilgrimage.  Five  children,  the  young 
est  but  a  year  old,  made  up  the  number  of  bright  jewels  in 
the  mother's  crown.  To  leave  these,  even  with  a  father 
who  tenderly  loved  and  wisely  cared  for  them — Oh, 
what  a  trial !  When  first  the  painful  truth  was  coin 


THE    OLD    MAN?8    BRIDE.  327 

municated,  it  seemed,  for  a  time,  more  than  she  could 
bear. 

"  My  dear,  dear  husband  ! "  she  sobbed,  as,  with  her 
arms  clasped  tightly  around  his  neck,  she  drew  his  face 
down  to  hers,  and  wet  it  with  her  tears.     "  I  canno 
leave    you.      And    my    children  —  my   babe  !  —  Oh, 
Henry ! 

How  weak  are  words  of  consolation  offered  at  such 
an  hour,  and  in  view  of  a  separation  like  this  I  After 
the  first  gush  of  feeling  was  over,  Mr.  Wellford  whis- 
pered— 

"  We  must  look  upwards.  God  will  give  us  strength 
for  the  trial." 

As  he  spoke,  the  tremor  in  his  voice,  if  it  betrayed 
not  his  want  of  confidence  in  the  Divine  aid  to  which 
he  referred,  showed  the  weakness  of  nature. 

The  certainty  of  approaching  dissolution,  usually 
brings  calmness  of  feeling,  and  clearness  of  thought  It 
is  a  wise  and  merciful  provision,  that  death,  which  we 
view  at  a  distance  with  so  much  dread,  loses  its  terrors 
in  drawing  near.  It  is  no  longer  a  grim  monster,  bu* 
an  angel  of  mercy,  to  take  us  lovingly  by  the  hand  and 
lead  us  safely  along  the  dark  passage  that  opens  into 
the  brighter  world  of  spirits.  How  rarely,  in  the  clos- 
ing hour,  dwells  the  mind  on  dissolution — how  insensi- 
bly it  risea  into  thoughts  of  eternal  life !  Words  of 


328  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

consolation  come  with  higher  meanings ;  and  there  ia 
given  a  trust  in  Hjm  who  doeth  all  things  well,  pro- 
found enough  to  still  the  tempest  of  emotion  even  in  a 
mother's  bosom. 

And  it  was  so  in  the  present  case. 

True  to  her  promise,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  did  not  leave  the 
wasting  invalid,  during  the  two  weeks  that  she  lingered 
among  the  beloved  ones  who,  even  while  they  clung  to 
her,  felt  their  hold  gradually  giving  way.  Other  friends, 
and  near  and  dear  relatives,  were  with  her ;  but,  to  the 
dying  one,  no  hand  was  laid  upon  her  with  such  a  gen- 
tle, loving  pressure,  no  voice  was  so  soothing,  no  minis- 
tration  so  satisfying  as  that  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch.  And  yet, 
how  unobtrusively  all  was  done  ! 

One  day,  it  was  near  the  closing  hour,  Mrs.  Wellford 
found  herself,  for  a  short  time,  alone  with  her  gentle  at- 
tendant. A  few  minutes  before,  the  nurse  had  taken 
little  Henry,  her  youngest  born,  from  the  room.  She 
had  kissed  him,  and  then  shut  her  eyes  tightly  to  keep 
tears  from  flowing  over  her  cheeks.  Opening  her  eyes 
at  length,  she  said,  her  tones  slightly  tremulous, 

"  It  is  a  hard,  hard  trial,  my  kind,  good  friend ! 
How  can  I  leave  these  dear  ones  ?  Who  can  fill  my 
place  to  them  ? " 

"  I  can  give  but  this  answer,    replied  Mis.  Bullfinch, 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE,  329 

in  her  low  even  tones.  "  There  is  One  who  loves  them 
with  a  love  exceeding  even  that  of  a  mother." 

"  I  know,  I  know.  Yet,  is  not  my  love  to  be  an 
instrument  for  their  good  ?  While  life  remains,  should 
not  my  thoughts  regard  their  future  ? " 

"  It  should." 

"  My  friend"— Mrs.  Wellford  took  the  hand  of  Mrs. 
Bullfinch,  pressing  it  tightly  in  her  own,  while  her  eyes 
were  fixed  intently  upon  her  face.  "  If  I  could  know 
that  they  were  in  your  care !  At  Maggy's  age  the  wis- 
dom of  a  mother's  love  is  needed,  quite  as  much  as  its 
tenderness  at  the  age  of  dear  little  Henry.  They  love 
you,  they  confide  in  you;  and  love  and  confidence 
would  make  them  obedient  to  your  every  word.  Oh  ! 
Mrs.  Bullfinch,  if  I  knew  they  would  henceforth  be  in 
your  wise  and  loving  guardianship,  I  could  pass  away 
without  a  sigh." 

Mrs.  Wellford  felt  the  low  thrill  that  came  instantly 
into  the  hand  she  clasped  so  tightly.  But,  she  did  not 
know  its  meaning,  nor  comprehend  the  change  of  ex- 
ression  that  passed  over  the  face  of  her  companion. 

What  a  request  to  make,  and  that,  too,  of  one  who 
had,  for  more  than  twenty  years,  loved,  with  a  hopeless, 
yet  undying  love,  the  father  of  the  children  she  now 
wished  to  leave  in  her  keeping  I  Mrs.  Bullfinch  were 


330        THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

more  than  mortal  not  to  have  experienced  a  profound 
agitation.  But  what  could  she  reply  ? 

The  disturbance  of  feeling  bewildered  her  thought. 
Moreover,  as  the  disturbance  went  deeper,  she  clearly 
saw  its  origin  in  a  yet  unextinguished  interest  in  Henry 
Wellford  ;  and  a  wave,  burdened  with  anguish  from  a 
sense  of  guilt,  swept  across  her  mind.  Closing  her 
eyes,  she  looked  up,  and,  in  silence,  prayed  for  strength 
and  guidance. 

"  You  do  not  answer  me,"  said  Mrs.  Wellford,  in  a 
voice  of  suspense. 

"  How  can  I  answer  you  ? "  replied  Mrs.  Bullfinch. 
Then  she  added,  with  less  feeling — 

"  You  leave  them  in  a  safer  and  wiser  guardianship — 
that  of  their  own  father." 

"  I  know — I  know ! "  was  quickly  answered.  "  But — 
you  understand  all  I  can  and  would  say.  A  father  can- 
not supply  the  mother's  place  to  his  children.  They  ever 
need  a  woman's  care,  a  woman's  love.  I  know  my  hus- 
band will  confide  in  you  entirely — that  he  will  trust  to 
your  judgment — and  the  children — they  all  love  you. 
Sometimes  I  have  been  almost  jealous  of  their  attach- 
ment; and  half  jestingly,  half  in  earnest,  said  that  they 
loved  you  better  than  they  loved  their  mother.  So  far 
as  your  worldly  interests  are  concerned,  be  sure  they 
will  not  suffer.  I  have  property  in  my  own  right — 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  331 

say  that  you  will  become  the  personal  guardian  of  my 
children,  and  I  will  endow  you  with  a  liberal  income." 

"  Speak  not  of  that ! "  said  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  putting 
up  a  hand,  and  averting  her  face,  that  the  pleading 
mother  might  not  see  its  expression.  "  With  me,  these 
selfish  and  worldly  considerations  have  long  since,  I 
trust,  ceased  to  have  influence." 

"  Then  why  not  give  your  promise  ? " 

"Because,"  replied  she,  in  a  voice  that  was  very 
low — only  in  the  diminished  tone  was  steadiness  ac- 
quired— "  another  will  than  ours  must  give  consent" 

"  Another !  whose  ?    0,  yes.  I  see  !    My  husband ! " 

«  Yes." 

u  If,"  said  Mrs.  Wellford,  slowly  and  solemnly, 
"  when  I  am  no  more  among  these  household  treasures, 
he  asks  you  to  take  my  place  with  them,  as  far  as  that 
may  be,  will  you  answer  yes  ?  " 

Many  minutes  passed  before  there  was  any  answer. 
The  dying  mother  saw  not  her  countenance — dreamed 
not  of  what  was  passing  in  her  heart.  At  last  Mrs. 
Bullfinch  said,  feebly,  and  as  if  the  answer  had  cost  a 
powerful  struggle — 

"  It  shall  be  as  you  wish." 

"Thank  God!  I  can  die  in  peace!"  came  exult- 
ingly  from  the  mothee's  lips.  "Thank  God!"  she 
repeated.  "  Thank  God ! " 


332  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

Motionless,  almost  as  a  statue,  Mrs.  Bullfinch  remained. 
A  way  was  opening  before  her,  the  very  thought  of 
treading  which  half  suspended  her  respiration.  When, 
at  length,  she  turned  to  meet  the  grateful,  confiding 
looks  of  Mrs.  Wellford,  her  eyes  sunk  beneath  the  ear- 
est  gaze  that  was  fixed  upon  her ;  while  she  felt  the 
warm  blood  mounting  to  her  face.  The  entrance  of 
Mr.  Wellford,  at  the  moment,  gave  her  a  fitting  oppor- 
tunity to  retire.  Alone,  in  earnest  self-communion,  she 
remained  for  some  time.  When  she  entered  the  sick 
chamber  again,  her  heart  was  beating  with  even  pulses. 


CHAPTEK  XXXIL 

THE  night  that  followed  this  solemn  interview,  broke 
not  again  for  the  wife  and  mother — not  again  in  this 
world.  To  her,  there  came  a  better  and  a  brighter 
morning  than  dawned  for  the  sorrowing  ones  she  left 
behind. 

The  last  act  of  Mrs.  Wellford  made  the  way  plain 
for  Mrs.  Bullfinch.  She  dictated  a  will,  by  the  pro- 
visions of  which  a  generous  income  for  life  was  secured 
to  her,  and  in  which  she  solemnly  committed  her  chil- 
dren to  her  care.  Mrs.  Bullfinch  had  already  given  her 
promise  that,  if  desired  by  Mr.  Wellford  to  do  so,  sho 
would  meet  the  mother's  dying  wishes.  That  desire 
was  expressed  in  language  not  to  be  misunderstood. 

In  a  little  more  than  a  month  after  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Wellford,  Mr.  Latta  came  home  from  England,  with  his 
health  so  much  impaired  that  his  physician  said  he 
must,  for  the  present,  give  up  all  earnest  application  to 


334  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

business.  It  being  necessary  for  the  house  to  be  repre- 
sented abroad,  it  was  determined  that  Mr.  Wellford 
should  take  his  place  for  a  few  months. 

Short  as  the  time  had  been  since  Mrs.  Bullfinch  as- 
sumed her  new  position  in  his  family — short  as  the 
time  had  been,  it  was  yet  long  enough  to  give  birth  in 
the  mind  of  Mi1.  Wellford  to  certain  emotions  that  dis- 
turbed and  pained  him.  Tenderly  as  he  loved  his  wife, 
and  faithful  to  her  in  every  thought  as  he  had  been — 
he  discovered,  already,  a  newly  awakening  interest  in 
her  for  whom  his  heart  had  first  poured  out  the  gush- 
ing waters  of  affection.  Not  that,  in  any  respect,  Mrs. 
Bullfinch  sought  to  bend  a  single  thought  to  herself. 
Faithful  to  her  trust,  as  the  guardian  and  friend  of  his 
children,  she  was  devoting  her  life  to  them  with  a  ten- 
derness and  assiduity  that  never  for  a  moment  grew 
weary.  Towards  him,  she  was  reserved,  though  not 
cold;  deferential,  but  not  constrained.  None  knew 
better  than  she,  the  virtues,  the  sweet  attractions,  the 
loving  qualities  of  her  who  had  been  taken  from  him ; 
and  had  she  thought,  that,  in  so  brief  a  time  after  her 
removal,  his  heart  was  turning  to  her  with  a  single 
pulse  beating  with  old  emotions,  instantly  her  high  re- 
spect for  his  character  would  have  been  dimmed. 

"  Mrs.  Bullfinch,"  said  he,  one  day,  about  six  weeks 
after  the  death  of  his  wife,  "  I  shall  be  obliged  to  leave, 


THK   OLD    MAN'S   BRTDR.  335 

almost  immediately,  for  England.  Mr.  Latta  has  como 
home  in  very  bad  health,  and  the  doctor  enjoins  positive 
relaxation  from  business.  The  interests  of  the  house 
require  a  resident  partner  abroad  ;  I  must,  therefore, 
take  his  place  for  a  short  time.  It  will  leave  on  you 
additional  care  and  responsibility,  which  I  regret ;  but 
I  hope  to  be  borao  again  in  two  or  three  months.  I 
have  concluded  to  iako  Maggy  with  me.  She  is  not 
only  old  enough  to  ecjoj*  a  trip  across  the  water,  but  to 
receive  benefit  therefrom."* 

An  expression  of  regret  eame  to  the  lips  of  Mrs.  Bull- 
finch, but  she  checked  its  u'teruspe^  and  remained 
silent. 

"  My  only  trouble  about  Maggy  is,  the  want  of  a 
suitable  companion  to  accompany  her.  I  &*iaJl,  foi  th» 
greater  part  of  almost  every  day,  be  necessarily  aheect 
from  her — business  being  the  object  of  my  visit." 

"  She  is  just  at  that  age,"  said  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  "  when 
she  ought  not  to  be  thrown  among  strangers  without  a 
judicious  companion  of  her  own  sex." 

"  You  are  right  there,"  replied  Mr.  Wellford,  in  a 
voice  that  showed  a  sudden  conviction  of  the  truth  in- 
volved in  her  remark.  "  Right— right"— he  added. 
Then  he  sighed,  and  remained  lost  in  thought  for  some 
time. 

"  I  wish  I  could  take  all  with  me,"  he  said,  in  some 


336  THE  OLD   MAN'S  BRIDE. 

animation,  as  if  he  were  really  serious  in  the  suggestion. 
And,  for  the  moment,  he  was. 

"  Had  not  all  better  remain  ?"  said  Mrs.  Bullfinch. 
"  You  will  not  be  gone  a  very  long  time.  Maggy  ia 
still  at  school ;  and,  though  passed  seventeen,  but  a 
school  girl,  and  ignorant  of  the  world  and  its  wiles. 
Will  it  be  wise  to  interrupt  her  studies  now — in  fact, 
to  end  them,  for  she  will  not  be  able  to  study  again — 
or  safe  to  trust  her  alone,  as  she  must  so  much  of  her 
time  be,  and  among  strangers,  of  whose  characters  you 
can  never  be  sure  ?71 

"  No,  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  it  will  not,"  was  the  father's 
emphatic  answer.  "You  are  right — right.  I  thought 
more  of  myself  than  of  my  child,  when  I  proposed  to 
take  her  with  me.  "  Well" — and  he  sighed — "  I  must 
go  alone.  The  separation  from  my  children  will  be 
painful.  Yet  I  shall  have  one  comfort ;  she,  with 
whom  I  leave  them,  will  be  faithful  to  her  trust. 

"  If  tempted  to  unfaithfulness,"  said  Mrs.  Bullfinch, 
solemnly,  "  I  will  think  of  their  mother,  as  present,  and 
remember  the  hour  when  her  treasures  were  committed, 
in  tears,  to  my  keeping." 

"  I  thank  you,  in  her  name,  for  your  earnest  love, 
and  untiwng  faithfulness,"  said  Mr.  Wellford,  with  emo- 
tion "  It  will  take  away  much  of  the  pain  of  separa- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S   BRIDE.  837 

kion  to  know,  that  even  a  mother's  love  could  not  more 
wisely  guard  my  household  treasures." 

Fortunately,  Mr.  Wellford  had  not  spoken  to  his 
oldest  daughter  of  his  wish  to  have  her  accompany  him 
to  England.  The  more  he  reflected  on  the  matter,  the 
more  clearly  he  saw  that  Mrs.  Bullfinch  was  right ;  and 
the  more  thankful  did  he  feel  that  his  children  had 
come  under  the  immediate  guardianship  of  one  whose 
love  made  her  so  jealous  over  them  for  good. 

In  the  short  period  that  elapsed  ere  Mr.  Wellford 
bade  adieu  U>  his  family,  it  became  necessary  for  him  to 
have  frequent,  earnest,  and  familiar  conference  with 
Mrs.  Bullfinch.  Many  directions  had  to  be  given,  and 
on  many  subjects  information  was  sought.  Necessarily 
their  minds  came  into  closer  contact,  and  each  saw, 
without  the  effort  to  see,  more  deeply  into  the  other's 
thoughts. 

"  There  is  one  thing  that  I  must  require  of  you,"  said 
Mr.  Wellford,  on  the  day  he  was  to  leave,  "  and  that 
is  a  weekly  letter,  telling  me  all  about  my  children.  It 
will  be  some  compensation  for  the  weary  absence  I 
•hall  suffer." 

"  Maggy  will  write  you,"  replied  Mrs.  Bullfinch. 

"  True ;  but,  she  can  only  write  her  own  thoughts 
»nd  feelings.  She  can  only  speak  of  home  from  the 
pint  of  view  at  which  she  sees  it.  You  can  tell  me  • 


838  THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDK. 

hundred  things  of  interest  that  she  would  never  notice. 
I  will  write  to  you  my  views  and  wishes  in  regard  to 
my  children,  and  you  must  give  me  pictures  of  home." 

Mrs.  Bullfinch  hesitated  still,  hut  he  extorted'  the 
promise.  When  the  hour  of  parting  at  length  came, 
and  the  father,  melted  into  unwonted  tenderness  as  he 
kissed  and  embraced  his  children  for  the  last  time,  took 
finally,  the  hand  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch,  he  said,  aa  he 
grasped  it  tightly — 

/  "  I  leave  all  with  you — I  trust  all  to  your  keeping — 
I  do  not  say  be  faithful.  The  word  would  wrong  you. 
Farewell  I" 

The  close  pressure  of  his  hand  was  but  slightly  re- 
turned. She  did  not  lift  her  eyes  to  his  face,  nor  trust 
her  voice  in  response. 

"  Farewell ;  and  God  bless  you  all !"  added  Mr. 
Wellford,  with  deep  emotion,  as  he  turned  away,  and 
burned  from  the  presence  of  his  family. 


CHAPTER  XXXIIL 

CONCLUSION. 

MONTH  after  month  went  by,  and  still  Mr.  Wellford 
remained  abroad.  The  health  of  Mr.  Latta  continuing 
feeble,  his  physician  still  enjoined  relaxation  from  busi- 
ness, or,  at  most,  a  very  moderate  devotion  of  thought 
and  effort  in  that  direction.  He  could  not,  therefore, 
relieve  Mr.  Wellford.  More  than  a  year  had  elapsed, 
and  yet  the  father  was  absent  from  his  family,  though 
yearning  in  heart  to  be  with  his  beloved  ones  again. 
From  loneliness  and  home-sickness  he  had  suffered 
greatly — this  separation  adding  to  the  pain  of  his  sad 
Dereavementv 

Mrs.  Bullfinch  had  been  true  to  her  promise,  in  writ- 
ing once  a  week.  Every  steamer  brought  him  a  letter, 
in  which  were  faithful  pen-pictures  of  what  was  passing 
at  home.  The  progress  of  each  child  iu  its  education, 


340  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

and  most  of  its  sayings  and  doings  that  were  at  all 
likely  to  interest  the  absent  father,  were  recorded. 
Little  faults  and  defects  of  character  were,  likewise,  at 
times,  set  forth  to  view,  and  his  advice  sought  as  to  the 
best  modes  of  correction.  She  gave  him,  too,  an  ac- 
count of  household  matters,  and  a  monthly  statement 
of  expenses.  Of  the  latter,  he  more  than  once  said,  in 
his  letters,  that  it  was  needless,  as  he  had  every  confi- 
dence in  her,  and  knew  that  she  was  faithful  and  con- 
scientious in  all  things.  Still  the  statements  were  never 
omitted. 

In  regard  to  the  tone  of  her  letters,  Mr.  "Wellford 
was,  in  some  respects,  not  altogether  so  well  pleased. 
They  had  always  struck  him  as  cold ;  but  this  coldness 
seemed,  as  time  wore  on,  to  increase.  Her  letters,  too, 
became  briefer,  and  more  formal,  while,  in  writing  to . 
her,  his  own  had,  almost  unconsciously  to  himself,  ac- 
quired a  greater  freedom  and  a  warmer  familiarity. 

As  the  time  of  his  absence  was  still  prolonged,  Mr. 
Wellford  wrote  to  have  a  daguerreotype  of  each  of  his 
children  taken  and  sent  to  him.  This  was  accordingl 
done.  With -what  eager  and  trembling  hands  did  the 
father  open  the  welcome  package  when  it  came.  There 
were  five  separate  pictures,  one  of  each  of  his  children, 
from  Maggy,  the  oldest,  a  beautiful  young  woman, 
down  to  dear,  dear,  little  Harry,  the  youngest  born, 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  34 \ 

and,  if  that  were  possible,  best  beloved.  If  tears  dimmed 
the  father's  eyes,  as  he  gazed  upon  the  faces  of  his 
children,  thus  pictured  for  him  to  the  very  life,  it  wa» 
no  unmanly  weakness.  Most  of  all,  the  youngest 
seemed  changed.  A  year  in  a  baby's  life  is  a  long 
period.  He  looked  a  great  deal  older,  yet,  oh,  how 
much  more  beautiful !  His  large,  heavenly  eyes,  his 
wealth  of  soft  curls,  clustering  about  his  neck,  and  fall- 
ing over  his  shoulders,  his  arching  lips  that  seemed  just 
about  to  speak  to  him — ah1  came  upou  him  like  a  living 
reality. 

But  there  was  another  small  package,  carefully  tied 
and  sealed,  and  Mr.  Wellford  knew  the  direction  thereon 
to  be  in  the  hands  of  his  oldest  daughter.  Opening 
this,  he  found,  within,  a  letter  from  Maggy,  and  what 
startled  and  thrilled  him  with  a  strange,  yet  exquisitely 
pleased,  emotion,  another  daguerreotype,  containing  two 
figures,  those  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch  and  little  Harry  1 

The  child  was  sitting  in  her  lap,  with  his  head  partly 
turned,  so  that  he  could  look  into  her  face,  and  the  look 
was  one  slightly  anxious,  yet  full  of  confiding  love. 
But  it  was  the  face  of  Mrs.  Bullfinch  that  more  particu- 
larly attracted  and  chained  the  eyes  of  Mr.  Wellford. 
So  calm,  so  pure,  so  elevated,  so  spiritual  in  its  beauty  1 
It  reminded  him  of  one  of  Raphael's  Madonnas.  In- 
stantly, there  flowed  back  upou  his  heart,  in  a  strong 


342  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

flood,  the  waters  which,  for  so  many  years,  had  been 
pent  up.  He  kissed,  fervently,  the  pictured  face,  and, 
as  he  did  so,  murmured — 

"  Helen  !  Helen  !  There  has  been  a  great  gulf.  But 
it  is  bridged  over  at  last  1" 

Opening  now  the  letter  of  Maggy,  he  read — 

"  MY  DEAR,  DEAR  FATHER  : — If  dear,  good  Mrs 
Bullfinch  knew  what  I  was  doing,  she  would  scold  me 
dreadfully — no,  not  scold,  for  she  never  spoke  a  cross 
word  in  her  life,  I'm  sure.  But  if  she  knew  what  I  was 
doing,  she  would  be  displeased  and  hurt.  I  send  you 
her  daguerreotype,  with  our  sweet  little  Harry  sitting 
on  her  lap.  I  asked  her  to  let  me  send  it,  but  she 
looked  half  frightened,  and  said,  '  No,  indeed,  Maggy  ; 
not  for  the  world  !'  But  I  was  bent  on  your  seeing  it, 
so  I  went  out,  one  day,  and  had  a  duplicate  made — and 
here  it  is !  Doesn't  she  look  well  ?  How  we  all  do 
love  her ! 

"  And  now  let  me  tell  you  how  it  came  that  her 
picture  was  taken.  We  all  went  to  sit  for  our  da- 
guerreotypes, to  be  sent  to  you.  When  it  came  to 
Harry's  turn,  he  was  so  frightened  that  we  couldn't  get 
him  to  sit  in  the  chair.  We  tried  for  some  time.  At 
last,  without  thinking  what  would  be  the  result,  Mrs. 
Bullfinch  sat  down,  and  took  him  on  her  lap.  The  pie- 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  343 

ture  was  taken,  and,  of  course,  we  had  Mrs.  Bullfinch 
as  well  as  Harry.  We  all  said  that  was  just  as  it  should 
be  ;  but  she — and  I  never  saw  her  face  in  such  a  beau- 
tiful glow  as  it  was  then— said  no.  After  a  good  many 
trials,  we  induced  Harry  to  sit  just  long  enough  to  get 
the  image  fixed. 

"Do  you  know,  dear  father,  that  Harry  always 
calls  her  '  Mamma  ?'  She  tried  a  long  time  to  make 
him  say  '  Aunty,'  but  it  was  no  use.  He  would  call 
her  '  Mamma' — his  '  own,  sweet  Mamma,'  he  says, 
sometimes.  We  all  encourage  him.  I'm  sure  our  own 
dear  mother,  of  whom  she  often  talks  to  us,  never  could 
have  loved  him  more  or  taken  better  care  of  him. 

"  The  other  day,  and  I've  thought  strange  of  it  ever 
since,  I  handed  Mrs.  Bullfinch  the  key  of  your  private 
secretary,  and  asked  her  if  she  wouldn't  get  me  a  seal 
out  of  one  of  the  little  drawers.  Thinking,  soon  after 
she  left  me,  of  something  else  that  I  wanted,  I  went 
over  to  your  chamber.  I  had  on  light  slippers,  which 
made  no  sound  on  the  carpet.  Her  back  was  towards 
me,  but  I  saw  that  she  had  that  beautiful  ebony  jewel- 
box  in  her  hand,  and  had  taken  from  it  the  old-fash- 
k>ned  gold  watch  it  contained,  on  which  she  was  gazing. 
A  side  glance  at  her  face,  reflected  in  a  mirror,  showed 
me  that  she  was  weeping.  I  retired  without  being  ob- 
served. She  stayed  a  good  while.  When  she  brought 


344  THE  OLD  MAN'S  BRIDE. 

me  the  seal,  her  eyes  were  red  and  her  face  very  sober 
She  has  looked  more  thoughtful  than  usual  ever  since. 
What  does  it  mean  ?  On  opening  the  box  afterwards, 
I  found  in  it  a  note,  in  your  hand-writing — the  address 
was  not  given — but  the  note  said,  briefly — '  A  friend 
restores  them  to  you.'  On  the  watch  is  engraved  the 
word  '  Lee.'  Wasn't  that  her  maiden  name  ?  There's 
something  about  this  that  I  don't  understand.  Can 
you  tell  me  what  it  means,  father  ? 

"Yesterday,  a  lady  called  to  see  Mrs.  Bullfinch. 
She  came  in  a  handsome  carriage,  and  was  very  richly 
dressed.  She  called  Mrs.  Bullfinch  '  aunt,'  and  kissed 
her.  Both  shed  tears  at  meeting.  The  lady  remained 
a  long  time.  When  she  went  away,  the  face  of  Mrs. 
Bullfinch  looked  brighter  than  it  had  been  for  a  long 
time.  I  asked  her  who  the  lady  was,  and  she  said  that 
she  was  a  niece  of  her  husband's,  who  had,  some  years 
before,  married  a  wealthy  Southern  merchant,  and  now 
resided  at  New  Orleans.  That  it  was  twenty  years 
since  they  had  met. 

"  I  have  a  good  deal  more  to  write  about,  but,  must 
put  it  off  until  the  next  steamer.  Good  by,  dear  father. 
When  are  you  coming  home  ?  Oh,  how  we  long  to 
see  you  once  more.  MAGGY." 

Three  months   later.    Word  had  come  that  Mr. 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDE.  345 


"Wellford  would  be  home  in  the  iiext  steamer.  What 
joy  there  was  in  his  household !  Even  little  Harry 
caught  the  infection,  and  would  clap  his  hands,  and 
cry  "  Papa  coming  1  Papa  coming  !"  although  his  in- 
fantile memory  held  but  a  faint  picture  of  his  absent 
parent 

A  close  observer  would  have  remarked  a  very  de- 
cided change  in  the  countenance  and  manner  of  Mrs. 
Bullfinch,  after  this  intelligence  came.  Her  eyes  had 
in  them  a  different  light,  her  cheeks  flushed  with  a 
warmer  hue,  her  voice  was  lower,  and  her  air,  at  times, 
that  of  one  whose  thoughts  dwelt  not  in  the  present. 
Far,  very  far  was  she  from  being  at  ease  in  her  mind — 
far  from  thinking  of  the  return  of  Mr.  Wellford,  un- 
affected by  a  personal  interest.  Earnestly  had  she 
striven  to  keep  down  every  heart-throb  born  of  old 
affections — to  turn  her  thoughts  away  from  the  absent 
one,  when  his  image  came  before  her,  as  it  would  often 
come,  with  eyes  that  seemed  gazing  into  her  very  souL 
But  all  was  in  vain.  He  was  her  first  and  her  only  love. 
The  polar  star  of  her  woman's  life ;  and,  now,  when  to 
think  of  him  and  to  love  him  were  no  longer  a  sin, 
there  was  no  power  in  earth  or  heaven  strong  eaough 
to  subdue  her  leaping  pulses — to  say  to  her  heart- 
that  trembled  at  the  lowest  whisper  of  his  name,  peace, 
be  still  I 


340  THE    OLD    MANS    BRIDE. 

It  was  full  time  for  the  steamer  to  arrive,  by  which 
Mr.  Wellford  was  to  come  home.  Hourly  his  family 
were  in  expectation  of  intelligence  from  New  York,  by 
telegraph,  that  he  had  reached  that  city,  and  would  be 
with  them  in  a  few  hours.  All  were  on  the  tip-toe  of 
expectation. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  Mrs.  Bullfinch  was 
alone  with  little  Harry,  who  was  in  one  of  his  playful 
and  affectionate  humors. 

"  Dear  mamma  I "  he  would  say,  as  he  twined  his 
arms  tightly  about  her  neck,  and  pressed  his  lips  to 
hers.  "  Dear  mamma  !  Aint  I  your  little  dove  ?  Aint 
I  your  sweet  darling  1  Papa  coming  home  I " 

"  Dear  papa  ! "  said  Mrs.  Bull6nch,  in  a  tender,  affec- 
tionate tone. 

"  Yes  ;  dear  papa ! "  responded  the  child. 

"  You'll  love  him  very  much,  won't  you  ? " 

"  0  yes  ;  and  I  love  you — sweet,  good  mamma  I n 
And  again  the  fond  creature  clasped  her  neck. 

How  little  dreamed  the  waiting  one — waiting  with 
heart  so  burdened  with  feeling,  it  had  scarcely  power  to 
perform  its  office — that  Henry  Wellford  had  entered 
the  room  where  she  was  sitting,  and  was  a  witness  of 
this  scene. 

"  Helen !  Helen !  Dear  Helen  ! "  he  exclaimed, 
utterly  unable  to  control  himself  and  springing  to  her 


THE    OLD    MAN'S    BRIDK.  347 

side,  he  drew  his  arms  about  her  and  his  child,  and 
clasped  them  together  to  his  heart.  Trembling  and 
sobbing  from  excess  of  joy,  she  lay  there,  not  making  a 
motion  to  withdraw  herself — she  had  no  power  fo" 
that — but  shrinking  closer  and  closer  into  his  bosom. 

"  The  long  night  is  over — the  trial  past — dear  He- 
len ! "  whispered  Mr.  Wellford,  as  he  began  to  acquire 
some  command  over  his  feelings.  "To  my  children, 
you  have  been  faithful  even  as  a  mother.  They  love 
you  as  a  mother.  Be  to  me,  as  well  as  to  them,  the 
sunshine  of  life — the  joy  of  our  dwelling." 

Slowly  Helen  raised  her  head,  looked  him  for  a  mo 
ment,  with  glad  eyes,  in  the  face,  and  then  buried  i 
again  in  his  bosom. 

He  was  answered. 

A  few  weeks  later,  and  undying  love  found  its  locj[ 
delated  consummation. 


A    000115176    0 


